Hyundai to supply Philippine Navy with six OPVs in USD573 million contract

A computer-generated image of the OPV that will be built by Hyundai Heavy Industries for the Philippine Navy. (Hyundai Heavy Industries)

Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) has secured a contract to supply the Philippine Navy with six new 2,400-tonne offshore patrol vessels (OPVs).

The contract, which was signed with the Philippine Department of National Defense (DND) on 27 June, is valued at USD573 million, HHI disclosed in a media statement on the same day.

The OPV will have an overall length of 94.4 m and a width of 14.3 m. It will have a maximum speed of 22 kt, a cruising speed of 15 kt, and a maximum range of 5,500 n miles.

In terms of weapons, each OPV will be equipped with a 76 mm naval gun in the primary position and two 30 mm secondary guns, said HHI. The vessel will have a flight deck that can accommodate one helicopter and unmanned aerial vehicles.

“The OPV was designed by incorporating the Philippine Navy's OPV requirements to the proven Jose Rizal-class frigate platform,” said the company in reference to the service's two Jose Rizal-class vessels, which were also supplied by HHI.

All six OPVs will be built at HHI's shipyard in Ulsan, with the last vessel scheduled for completion in 2028.