BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151)
The future BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151) is the second ship of the Jose Rizal-class of guided missile frigates in service with the Philippine Navy.[1] She is able to conduct multi-role operations such anti-surface warfare (ASUW), anti-submarine warfare (ASW), and limited anti-air warfare (AAW).[2] She is one of the service's primary warship until the introduction of new and more powerful contemporaries.
The BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151) during its ceremonial launching at Ulsan, South Korea | |
Philippines | |
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Name: | BRP Antonio Luna |
Namesake: | Antonio Narciso Luna de San Pedro y Novicio Ancheta |
Ordered: | 24 October 2016 |
Builder: | Hyundai Heavy Industries |
Laid down: | 23 May 2019 |
Launched: | 8 November 2019 |
Commissioned: | Planned by 2021 |
Identification: | FF-151 |
Status: | To be commissioned by first quarter 2021 |
General characteristics | |
Class and type: | Jose Rizal-class frigate |
Displacement: | 2,600 tonnes |
Length: | 107.5 m (352.7 ft) |
Beam: | 13.8 m (45.3 ft) |
Draft: | 6.9 m (22.6 ft) |
Installed power: | 4 × MTU-STX 12V2000-M41B diesel generators, each producing around 650 kW (872 shp) |
Propulsion: |
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Speed: | 25 kn (46.3 km/h; 28.8 mph) |
Range: | 4500 nmi (8,334 km) |
Endurance: | 30 days |
Boats & landing craft carried: | 2 × RHIB |
Complement: |
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Sensors and processing systems: |
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Electronic warfare & decoys: |
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Armament: |
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Aircraft carried: | 1 × AW159 Wildcat naval helicopter |
Aviation facilities: | Enclosed hangar and flight deck |
Construction and design
The BRP Antonio Luna was designed and built by Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) of South Korea and is a derivative of the Incheon-class frigates of the Republic of Korea Navy. Changes were made on the base design by making use of features found on newer frigates of the R.O.K. Navy, considering reduced radar cross-section by having cleaner lines and smooth surface design, as well as reduced overhangs. She also features a low free-board design similar also to the HTMS Bhumibol Adulyadej of the Royal Thai Navy.
On September 17, 2018, the steel cutting ceremony was held for P160 (project number of second of two frigates) at HHI shipyard at the Shin Hwa Tech facility in Pohang City, South Korea, marking the first step of the vessel's construction journey.[3]
On December 20, 2018, Lorenzana announced at a press conference the names of the two future frigates being built by HHI: BRP Jose Rizal and BRP Antonio Luna.[4]
On May 23, 2019, HHI held the keel laying ceremony for P160 at HHI shipyard, marking the formal start of the construction of the ship.[5] In the press briefing the same day, a Hanwha official said that Link 16 will likely not be compatible for the frigates until 2020 because of issues between US and South Korea.[3]
On November 8, 2019, HHI launched the second vessel, the prospective BRP Antonio Luna, at Ulsan shipyard in South Korea.[6]
The ship's outfitting, sea trials and delivery were affected by restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[7] HHI conducted sea trials to test the vessel's seaworthiness, propulsion, communications, weapons and sensor systems.[8][9]
On December 18, 2020, the TIAC declared that the frigate is compliant with the agreed technical specifications after witnessing its performance during the sea trials.[10] This paved way for the frigate re-docking and final outfitting before delivery.[10]
On January 29, 2021, the prospective BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151) was approved for delivery and acceptance by a joint Department of National Defense (DND) and Philippine Navy (PN) inspection team.[11] Based on the agreed timeline, the frigate is scheduled to sail out of Ulsan, South Korea on February 5 and is expected to arrive in Subic, Philippines on February 10.[11]
References
- "PHL Navy's second missile frigate launched in South Korea". GMA News Online. November 8, 2019.
- "Delivery of primary weapons for Navy frigates set for 2021, 2022". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
- "A timeline: Philippine Navy rides waves of frigates deal". INQUIRER.net. May 24, 2020.
- "Lorenzana reveals names of PH's first-missile capable frigates". December 20, 2018.
- "Keel Laying Ceremony Held For Future BRP Antonio Luna". May 23, 2019.
- "LOOK: Korean shipyard launches PH Navy's second missile-capable frigate". INQUIRER.net. November 8, 2019.
- "Delivery of future BRP Antonio Luna delayed due to pandemic — Navy chief". Manila Bulletin. Ben Rosario. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
- "BRP Antonio Luna's 1st sea acceptance trials 'satisfactory': Navy". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved October 8, 2020.
- "BRP Antonio Luna out to sea for weapons, sensors trial: PH Navy". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved December 14, 2020.
- "2nd missile-frigate BRP Antonio Luna completes sea trials". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
- "PH's 2nd missile frigate certified 'ready for delivery'". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
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