Philippine Navy commissions newest frigate

By Baird Maritime - March 19, 2021.

*The Philippine Navy frigate BRP Antonio Luna shortly after arriving in Philippine waters following delivery from South Korea on February 9, 2021 (Photo: Philippine Navy)*

The Philippine Navy commissioned a new warship into service in a ceremony in Manila’s South Harbor on Friday, March 19.

BRP Antonio Luna is the second of two Jose Rizal-class guided missile frigates built by Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) for the Philippines.

The frigate measures 107 by 13 metres and is powered by four MTU-STX 12V21163 diesel engines in a combined diesel and diesel (CODAD) arrangement, enabling it to reach speeds of up to 25 knots. Accommodations are for 65 crew and 45 other personnel.

Armament includes a 76-millimetre naval gun, a 30-millimetre autocannon, 12.7-millimetre machine guns, anti-ship missiles, surface-to-air missiles, and torpedoes.

Antonio Luna also has facilities for launching and recovering two rigid hull inflatable boats (RHIBs).