Philippine Navy commissions second brand new missile-capable frigate

MANILA, March 20 (Xinhua): The Philippine Navy commissioned BRP Antonio Luna (FF151) on Friday (May 19), putting the Philippines’ second brand new missile-capable frigate into active service.

The Philippine Navy placed its first brand new frigate, BRP Jose Rizal (FF150), in July last year. A South Korean shipbuilder built the two ships.

Acting Navy Flag Officer-in-Command Rear Admiral Adeluis Bordado said the FF151’s commissioning officially completed the Philippine Navy frigate acquisition project, “a monumental turning point in our Navy’s history that puts us on the map of modern and more capable navies.”

The Armed Forces of the Philippines said the two frigates are the first-ever Philippine Navy warships capable of conducting anti-air, anti-surface and anti-submarine warfares, as well as electronic warfare operations.