r/PhilippineMilitary

Lt. Col. Cho Hyunchul, Defense Attaché of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea, conducted a courtesy call to the PNP-Maritime Group (MG) at the Office of the Director, E.M. Factor Road, Brgy. Don Galo, Parañaque City.

During the meeting, discussions focused on the interest of South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration in the modernization initiatives of the PNP-MG, particularly on proposed acquisitions of vessels and aviation assets, weapons and equipment, communications, and surveillance systems.

The engagement opened opportunities for future maritime capability development and cooperation between the Philippines and the Republic of Korea, supporting the PNP-MG efforts to strengthen its capabilities and deliver more effective maritime law enforcement and public safety services.

Photos from PNP MG.

Photos of units for reference only.

🇰🇷🇵🇭 | A Filipino fisherman has spotted the Philippine Navy's 2,400-ton Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV), the BRP Rajah Sulayman PS-20 conducting maritime patrols. The Philippine Navy is expected to receive the 3rd OPV, the future BRP Rajah Humabon PS-22 OPV from HD Hyundai Heavy Industries by year-end, and the rest of the six OPVs will be completed within 2028.

More brand-new 3,200-ton Guided Missile Frigates will be delivered by 2028-2029, as part of the 844.7 billion won Frigate contract with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries signed last December 2025. HD HHI is eyeing to secure a follow-up Frigate contract, building on the success of the naval vessels orders from the Philippine Navy.

Video from Rolly Olero Sr.

🇰🇷🇵🇭 | The 3rd 2,400-ton Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) of the Philippine Navy, the OPV-3 or future BRP Rajah Humabon PS-22 is expected to be delivered by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries before year-end, according to my friend from the Philippine Fleet (OPV personnel). The training is ongoing for the personnel and officers of OPV-3 / BRP Rajah Humabon PS-22 in South Korea. Once delivered, this will be an added boost to the Philippine Navy's growing fleet of warships.

Photo from Caloy Ramirez Films & Aerials

PAF’s 15th SW already relocated to Mindanao.

🇰🇷🇵🇭 | The Philippine Navy's 2,400-ton Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV), beside the 8,200-ton Aegis destroyer of the Republic of Korea Navy. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries is set to deliver the 3rd Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV), the future BRP Rajah Humabon PS-22 to the Philippines soon, with all six Offshore Patrol Vessels expected to be completed within 2028, likely before the end of the Marcos Jr. administration. Currently, the Philippine Navy operates the first two OPVs, the BRP Rajah Sulayman PS-20 and BRP Rajah Lakandula PS-21 Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV). HD HHI will also build two new 3,200-ton next-generation guided missile frigates, with expected delivery by 2028-2029.

Photo from HD Hyundai Heavy Industries

Security Forces, University, LGU, Kabataan Party-list Unite for Kalinga Youth Development

CAMP MELCHOR F DELA CRUZ, Upi, Gamu, Isabela — In a strong display of convergence and shared commitment to youth development, security forces, the academe, local government, and the Kabataan Party-list came together in Kalinga to support initiatives aimed at empowering young people and securing better opportunities for their future.

The activity demonstrated how institutions and organizations from different sectors can find common ground in advancing the welfare of the youth. Through cooperation and constructive engagement, stakeholders underscored that youth development, peace, education, and community resilience are responsibilities shared by the entire community.

The 5th Infantry (STAR) Division, Philippine Army, expressed its appreciation to the participating university, local government, partner security and law-enforcement agencies, and the Kabataan Party-list for contributing to the activity and supporting programs that benefit the young people of Kalinga.

The participation of various stakeholders reflected a shared commitment to a common purpose, empowering the youth and creating a peaceful, secure, and progressive future for the people of Kalinga.

For 5ID, genuine and lasting peace is strengthened when government institutions, communities, educational institutions, civil society, and youth representatives work together toward common aspirations.

Protecting, empowering, and securing the future of the youth is a shared responsibility. Through convergence, unity, and collaboration, we build stronger communities and create greater opportunities for the next generation.

Photo from 5th Infantry "Star" Division, Philippine Army

🇰🇷🇵🇭 | The Philippine Air Force pursued an FA-50PH Systems Upgrade with Korea Aerospace Industries worth approximately 93 billion won, and completed the Link 16 data link integration, which was originally expected to take more than a year, in just seven months, according to a Korean report.

The upgraded FA-50 demonstrated its network warfare capabilities at the multinational joint exercise Pitch Black 2026 held in Australia by sharing information in real-time with advanced forces, including F-22 Raptors and early warning aircraft. In particular, it showed high survivability and combat efficiency even in complex air combat environments through automatic Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) and real-time battlefield information sharing.

The FA-50's combat power is expected to be further enhanced through a second phase of upgrades that will add an AESA radar, AIM-120 AMRAAM medium-range air-to-air missiles, and aerial refueling capabilities.

It is not merely the ability to manufacture fighter jets, but the integrated technological capability to upgrade operational aircraft to the latest battlefield environments in a short period of time. As FA-50 operators such as Poland, as well as the Philippines, are considering performance upgrades, this experience is highly likely to become a significant competitive advantage for future KF-21 exports (currently under negotiations).

The Philippine Air Force is expected to receive the 12 additional FA-50 Block-70 fighter jets worth approximately $700 million, starting in 2028, before the end of the term of the Marcos Jr. administration. Making the total units of FA-50PHs to 23 aircraft. The new FA-50 Block-70 fighter jets will have active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar — options reportedly include RTX’s PhantomStrike or LIG D&A ESR-500A — unlocking beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles. It will also be installed with aerial refueling probe, sniper advanced targeting pod, and will soon have stand-off capability.

https://v.daum.net/v/Wz6UX0Lxpp

🇯🇵🇵🇭 | Japanese arms magazine reported that the Philippine Army has shown interest in acquiring Japanese land-based equipment, such as the Type 16 Maneuver Combat Vehicle (MCV) and the Type 10 Main Battle Tank (MBT). There's a likelihood that it will be exported soon to the Philippine Army. This comes after Israel continues to delay the delivery of the Sabrah Light Tanks, Japan could become an alternative to Israeli-made armored vehicles for the Philippines.

The magazine also reported the Abukuma-class Destroyer Escorts upcoming transfer to the Philippine Navy, after it's retirement in 2027.

https://armsweb.jp/report/7179.html

🇰🇷🇵🇭 | HD Hyundai Heavy Industries is focused on expanding naval cooperation with the Philippine Navy beyond exporting Guided Missile Frigates and Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV). Korean industry is closely watching to see if the company will build warships / naval vessels locally in Subic Shipyard, upon the request of the Philippines.

HD Hyundai has been establishing a full-scale relationship with the Philippines since 2016. Participating in the Philippine Navy's modernization project, the company expanded its orders starting with two frigates to include two patrol ships and six offshore patrol vessels, and succeeded in increasing the number of ordered ships to 12 by signing an additional contract for two 3,200-ton frigates at the end of last year. HHI is also preparing to secure a follow-up order for new Philippine Navy Frigates.

The Philippine government is reportedly highly valuing HD Hyundai's investment in the Subic shipyard as well. Philippine Finance Secretary Frederic Goh recently stated through the local public media outlet Philippine News Agency (PNA), "I am grateful for strengthening our industrial capabilities and employing thousands of Filipinos."

The shipbuilding industry assesses that for the Philippine government, building warships domestically offers greater benefits in terms of local employment, technology accumulation, and the development of the shipbuilding industry compared to simply importing them. Furthermore, HD Hyundai explained that maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) of vessels and other assets, which have previously been conducted in Ulsan, can also be carried out locally in the Philippines.

Some in the industry suggest that if HD Hyundai’s facilities in the Philippines are expanded, they could even be expected to serve as an intermediate hub for the MRO of U.S. Navy vessels in the future. Regarding the possibility of shipbuilding at the Subic shipyard, an HD Hyundai official stated, “Currently, we plan to focus on constructing merchant vessels.”

The Philippine Navy is expected to receive more Offshore Patrol Vessels (such as the OPV-3, BRP Rajah Humabon PS-22) in the coming months and years, and more Guided Missile Frigates.

https://www.mk.co.kr/news/business/12128064

https://m.news.nate.com/view/20260814n02506

The Philippine Air Force's AW-109 attack helicopters are expected to be transferred to the Philippine Coast Guard, the AW-109 helicopters with Tail No. 816, and 823. The transfer will boost the PCG's maritime domain awareness. Most likely the PAF will replace these units soon, with newer helicopters. Additional T-129 ATAK helicopters, hopefully.

Photo from iammileeey @ Threads, a PAF pilot.

"The Eurofighter program has consistently configured the aircraft to meet each operator's specific environmental and operational conditions, a reflection of the platform's design flexibility and the depth of engineering experience behind it," Enrico Fossatti, head of Leonardo's Eurofighter Export Campaigns for marketing and sales, said in an email reply to the Philippine News Agency on Tuesday.

Read more at: https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1281761

PS: Can they customize the PH variant to have lower operational cost? Anyway, the DND still needs to solve their problem on funding the MRF Project.