After a long break on discussions regarding the Philippine Navy's upcoming future frigates being built by Korean shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) under the Frigate Acquisition Project (FAP) of the Horizon 1 phase of the Revised AFP Modernization Program (RAFPMP), there are some important updates on the construction works of the warships.
According to official documents from the Philippine Navy (PN) and Department of National Defense (DND), the 2nd frigate, called internally by HHI as hull P160, should be scheduled to have its First Steel Cutting Ceremony tomorrow, 17 September 2018 at HHH's shipyard in South Korea. That is if there are no changes and problems encountered by HHI, or if the DND does not request to move the date as defense officials are currently busy on the aftermath of Typhoon Ompong / Mangkhut which may affect their attendance. No word though on who will represent the Philippines although it is expected that officials from the DND and PN would be there. So far the update was given only very recently, so we expect that HHI may not have any problems, and if DND doesn'ask for a schedule change, there is no other reason for the ceremony to not push through on 17 September 2018 as planned.
Meanwhile, the 1st frigate which is internally called by HHI as P159, is sheduled to have its Keel Laying Ceremonies on 16 October 2018.
Last May 2018, MaxDefense mentioned in a wall post that the 2nd Frigate's First Steel Cutting Ceremony is scheduled on September 2018. This means HHI's construction of the 2nd frigate is on schedule, and may reflect on HHI's accomplishments on the 1st frigate, as the production line is dependent on the accomplishments on the construction of the 1st frigate P159.
So far MaxDefense received information that several of the blocks of the 1st frigate P159 are completed, while many more are almost done, or will be done by the time keep laying starts next month. PN reports that HHI is confident that HHI will meet the scheduled Keel Laying Ceremony by 18 October 2018.
MaxDefense will provide updates on the First Steel Cutting of P160, as we expect news to be coming out days after the event. The same is also true on the Keel Laying Ceremony of 2nd frigate P159 on October 2018.
 |
| The scale models of the two future frigates of the Philippine Navy, as provided by HHI to PN. Photos provided exclusively to MaxDefense by one of our contributor. |
According to official documents from the Philippine Navy (PN) and Department of National Defense (DND), the 2nd frigate, called internally by HHI as hull P160, should be scheduled to have its First Steel Cutting Ceremony tomorrow, 17 September 2018 at HHH's shipyard in South Korea. That is if there are no changes and problems encountered by HHI, or if the DND does not request to move the date as defense officials are currently busy on the aftermath of Typhoon Ompong / Mangkhut which may affect their attendance. No word though on who will represent the Philippines although it is expected that officials from the DND and PN would be there. So far the update was given only very recently, so we expect that HHI may not have any problems, and if DND doesn'ask for a schedule change, there is no other reason for the ceremony to not push through on 17 September 2018 as planned.
 |
| Photo was taken during the 1st frigate P159's First Steel Cutting Ceremony held in HHI's Shipyard in South Korea last 01 May 2018. A similar event will happen on 17 September 2018 for the 2nd frigate P160. Photo taken from BusinessKorea website. |
Meanwhile, the 1st frigate which is internally called by HHI as P159, is sheduled to have its Keel Laying Ceremonies on 16 October 2018.
Last May 2018, MaxDefense mentioned in a wall post that the 2nd Frigate's First Steel Cutting Ceremony is scheduled on September 2018. This means HHI's construction of the 2nd frigate is on schedule, and may reflect on HHI's accomplishments on the 1st frigate, as the production line is dependent on the accomplishments on the construction of the 1st frigate P159.
 |
| The scale model of the PN's future frigate as provided by HHI to the Philippine Navy. Photo shared exclusively to MaxDefense by one of our contributor. |
So far MaxDefense received information that several of the blocks of the 1st frigate P159 are completed, while many more are almost done, or will be done by the time keep laying starts next month. PN reports that HHI is confident that HHI will meet the scheduled Keel Laying Ceremony by 18 October 2018.
MaxDefense will provide updates on the First Steel Cutting of P160, as we expect news to be coming out days after the event. The same is also true on the Keel Laying Ceremony of 2nd frigate P159 on October 2018.
