u/Eyorio

Construction of the Philippine Navy's additional new 3,200-ton Frigates will take place at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries' Ulsan shipyard, with the first steel cutting scheduled to begin in mid-2026 and both vessels expected to be delivered by the end of 2029. Philippine Navy officers are reportedly participating in the design and construction phases to ensure operational compatibility and integrate early crew training.

According to a defense industry official in Ulsan, this vessel is scheduled to be equipped with a 3D air defense search radar, improved electronic warfare (EW) equipment, and a vertical launch system (VLS) capable of launching anti-aircraft missiles. This signifies a dramatic advancement in the Philippine Navy's air defense capabilities.

In addition, the Korean Combat Management System (CMS), domestically produced sensors, and anti-ship missiles are expected to be integrated. These vessels are designed to be optimized for multi-domain operations in coastal and open-sea environments, aligning with the Philippine Navy's evolving doctrine.

https://www.dailydefense.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=1492

The Philippine Air Force 🇵🇭 Spokesperson, Col. Ma. Christina Basco announced the new air assets to be delivered soon. Which includes the delivery of the additional new FA-50PH Block 70 light fighter jets (first batch is expected by 2028), new C-130J-30 Super Hercules (first unit expected to arrive this year), and more new S-70i Black Hawk helicopters, to complete the order of 32 additional S-70i Black Hawks. She also said that the Philippine Air Force is doing their best to make sure that their procurement process is aligned in strengthening their capabilities.

Video from PTV-4

https://youtu.be/RPp2u56YhFE?si=xhhKKh-TxisOIDcN

🇵🇭🇰🇷✈️ | So it's confirmed. The Philippines and the Korean government has reached an agreement for the export contract of KF-21 Boramae with the DND, according to a Korean journalist that MaxDefense asked. The 20 KF-21 Boramae fighter jets for the Philippine Air Force is already a done deal. This is after my recent post about rumors circulating in Korean forums about the imminent contract signing for KF-21s.

The confirmation of the export of 20 units of KAI 🇰🇷 KF-21 Boramae jets to the Philippine Air Force 🇵🇭 now classified as a done deal, is very timely as the PAF celebrates its 79th Year. Both sides from the Korean and the Philippine officials will announce the deal soon, according to sir Max. It was reported earlier that the Korean government, through the Korean Export-Import Bank (KEXIM) will finance the 70% share of the total contract value, while the Philippines will release the 30% of the funding. The expect contract is worth KRW3 trillion (US$ 2 billion), and the initial deposit is worth PHP18 billion.

This will be the second deal with KAI after the acquisition of additional 12 FA-50 Block 70 fighter jets, under the Marcos Jr. administration. Which includes the establishment of a local MRO facility to facilitate the maintenance and upgrades of the KF-21s and FA-50s.

Note: I asked my friend from the DND Press Corps, and his interpretation of the post of MaxDefense of KF-21 being a done deal, means only one thing... Contract Signing.

News from MaxDefense Philippines

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BDD3J8Zug/

Rumors are circulating in Korean forums / discussions that Korea Aerospace Industries 🇰🇷 has won an order from the Philippines, stating that the contract has been awarded to export 20 KF-21 Boramae fighter jets to the Philippine Air Force 🇵🇭, citing local defense news in their country .We'll see once it's formally confirmed by KAI and the DND/PAF.

https://youtu.be/ZylPUSVPivU?si=4k4lS0Ks0BsWaQEY

https://m.clien.net/service/board/park/19219415

https://m.bobaedream.co.kr/board/bbs\_view/best/1005000

Korean Export-Import Bank 🇰🇷 (KEXIM) will finance the 70% of the total contract value of the export of 20 KF-21 Boramae fighter jets to the Philippine Air Force 🇵🇭, while the remaining 30% funding will be the only share that we will release, according to MaxDefense Philippines' latest post citing Korean industry sources. The expected contract value would be KRW3 trillion ($2 billion), with 15% downpayment of ₱18 billion to start the acquisition. Korean industry sources also believe that the Philippine Air Force has finally selected the KF-21 Boramae fighter jets for the MRF Acquisition Project.

News from MaxDefense Philippines

Indonesian firm, PT PAL Indonesia 🇲🇨 has released the Audio Visual Presentation of the Philippine Navy 🇵🇭's BRP Ilocos Norte (LD-603) Official Launching Ceremony, on 30th. This will boost the amphibious warfare and HADR capabilities of the Philippine Navy, and will strengthen the Philippine-Indonesia defense cooperation. The fourth LPD, BRP Leyte (LD-604) is expected to be launched later this year.

Video from PT PAL Indonesia

The Philippine Navy 🇵🇭's BRP Ilocos Norte (LD-603) Landing Platform Dock (LPD) has finally launched by PT PAL Indonesia on 30th. MaxDefense Philippines said that the upgrades of weapon systems, and radars will be installed separately. The 4th LPD, BRP Leyte (LD-604) is also set to be launched this year, according to Naval News. The Philippines will also acquire its own Landing Helicopter Dock / Helicopter Carrier in the near future, as part of the plans of the Philippine Navy, according to MaxDefense Philippines.

https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2026/06/pt-pal-launches-third-tarlac-class-lpd-for-philippine-navy/

Another angle of the 3rd 124-meter Landing Platform Dock (LPD) of the Philippine Navy, the BRP Ilocos Norte (LD-603). Naval News will prepare the news article for their coverage of the Official Launching Ceremony of the LPD.

Photo from Naval News' Indonesian correspondent, Fauzan Malufti

Another angle of the Philippine Navy's newest LPD, the future BRP Ilocos Norte (LD-603) Landing Platform Dock. The name of the ship "Ilocos Norte" is visible in the image.

Photo from an Indonesian Tiktoker, @budaqkorporat

The third brand-new 124-meter Landing Platform Dock (LPD) of the Philippine Navy, the BRP Ilocos Norte (LD-603)'s Official Launching Ceremony was commenced by PT PAL Indonesia tonight, June 30, 2026. The Philippine Navy Chief, Vice Admiral Jose Ma. Ambrosio Ezpelata attended the Launching Ceremony, alongside with other PN and DND officials. The BRP Ilocos Norte (LD-603) LPD is expected to be delivered by year-end. The fourth LPD, BRP Leyte (LD-604) will be launched next year.

Video from PT PAL Indonesia

According to defense reporter Frances Mangosing, the names of the Philippine Navy 🇵🇭's two additional new 124-meter Landing Platform Dock (LPD) would be: the BRP Ilocos Norte (LD-603), and the BRP Leyte (LD-604), obviously Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s hometowns. The BRP Ilocos Norte (LD-603)'s Official Launching Ceremony will be conducted today, June 30, 2026.

Photos from PT PAL Indonesia

https://x.com/i/status/2071830322229203055

We can see in this angle of the Philippine Navy 🇵🇭's BRP Rajah Lakandula PS-21 OPV the spaces / mounts intended for the future weapon systems of the ship. Such as the spaces for SIMBAD-RC missile launchers for Mistral-3 SAM beside the 30mm RCWS, and the space for 4-cell K-VLS for K-SAAM Haegung / Sea Bow short-range ship-launched surface-to-air missiles. MaxDefense Philippines has reported the possibility of equipping the OPVs with K-SAAM.

Photo from Caloy Ramirez Films & Aerials

The second 2,400-ton Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV), and the newest warship of the Philippine Navy 🇵🇭, the BRP Rajah Lakandula PS-21 has arrived in Cebu, and passed through the famous Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX) bridge. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries 🇰🇷 is set to deliver the third 2,400-ton OPV, the future BRP Rajah Humabon PS-22, soon. With the completion of deliveries of all six OPVs by 2028.

Photos from Caloy Ramirez Films & Aerials

The Philippine Army 🇵🇭 unveiled the Army Artillery Regiment's indigenous Gun Air Defense System, during the 128th Philippine Artillery Day, and 19th Anniversary of the Army Artillery Regiment. The Philippine Army Chief, Lt. Gen. Antonio G. Nafarrete inspected the newly-blessed Gun Air Defense System (GADS). The Philippine Army also plans to have their own Short-Range Air Defense System.

Photo from Army Artillery Regiment

The Philippine Army 🇵🇭 Chief, Lt. Gen. Antonio G. Nafarrete announced on 27th in the 128th Philippine Artillery Anniversary, that the recent modernization updates from the Artillery Regiment includes the provisional activation of the 1st Ground-Launched Missile Battalion, in preparation for their own Land-Based Missile System. The Philippine Army is next to acquire the BrahMos Supersonic Anti-ship Missile System after the Philippine Marine Corps, with two batteries expected to be acquired, according to Indian sources. Pres. Marcos Jr. announced last year that the Philippines will acquire more BrahMos Missiles for the Philippine Army. Should Congress approve a procurement of the missiles for the 2026 appropriations, then the additional BrahMos missiles could be delivered to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) by 2028 at the earliest. The Philippine Marine Corps operates the BrahMos Supersonic Anti-ship Missile System.

News from AFP Radio DWDD

https://globalnation.inquirer.net/287426/ph-to-buy-more-brahmos-missiles-from-india-marcos-says

The Philippine Navy 🇵🇭 Chief, Vice Admiral Jose Ma. Ambrosio Ezpelata is now in Indonesia to personally witness the Official Launching Ceremony of PT PAL Indonesia for the third brand-new 124-meter (LD-603) Landing Platform Dock (LPD), this June 30, 2026. A very important milestone for the Philippine Navy. Hopefully this LPD will be armed soon with 76mm main gun, or 35mm Gokdeniz CIWS. Once all of the two new LPDs arrived, the Philippine Navy will have a total of four Landing Platform Dock ships.

Photo from PT PAL Indonesia

Indonesian firm, PT PAL Indonesia 🇲🇨 released the teaser video for the Official Launching Ceremony of the Philippine Navy 🇵🇭's 3rd 124-meter brand new Landing Platform Dock, the LD-603. PT PAL Indonesia is expected to conduct the Launching Ceremony this week, with the DND and Philippine Navy officials, after 6 months of construction. It is expected to be delivered soon after the fitting works and sea trials completed. This new LPD of the Philippine Navy will help boost our territorial defense, amphibious warfare operations and improve our HADR capabilities. Hopefully it will be installed with 76mm main gun or 35mm Gokdeniz CIWS.

Video from PT PAL Indonesia

The 3rd brand-new Landing Platform Dock (LPD) of the Philippine Navy 🇵🇭 seems to be ready for the Official Launching Ceremony event of PT PAL Indonesia 🇲🇨, as the tents has been positioned in the location. The LD-603 Landing Platform Dock (LPD)'s gray naval coatings also looks to be almost complete.

Photo from Kristian Lobo

Here's the latest progress of the Philippine Navy 🇵🇭's brand-new 124-meter Landing Platform Dock (LPD), which is already in final stage of construction. PT PAL Indonesia 🇲🇨 is more than ready to launch the Philippines' LD-603 Landing Platform Dock (LPD), this June 30, 2026.

Photo from FMI&M

In this latest clip from PT PAL Indonesia 🇲🇨, we can see the new 124-meter LD-603 Landing Platform Dock (LPD) of the Philippine.Navy 🇵🇭, appears to be almost complete. It means the LD-603 LPD is finally ready for the Official Launching Ceremony to be commenced this June 30, 2026. After years of waiting, finally we can see the 3rd Landing Platform Dock to be launched, and soon to be delivered hopefully by year-end.

Screengrab from PT PAL Indonesia's fb reel