Philippine Navy sends-off Crew of Pohang-class Corvette BRP Conrado Yap (PS-39)

Latest on the Pohang-class corvette that the South Korean government donated to the Philippines.

A Shipbucket illustration of the upcoming Pohang-class corvette BRP Conrado Yap (PS-39).
Illustration shared by Steel Bamboo to MaxDefense, credits to Steel Bamboo.

MaxDefense was informed that the Philippine Navy’s (PN) intended crew for the Pohang-class corvette, which MaxDefense first reported as the BRP Conrado Yap (PS-39) had their Send-off Ceremony this morning.

The Corvette as ROKS Chungju (PCC-762) of the ROKN.
Credits to original source of photo.

BRP Conrado Yap is formerly the Pohang-class Flight III corvette ROKS Chungju (PCC-762) of the Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN).

While the ceremony was held today, the flight of the PN crew to South Korea will be made at a later date, probably this week.

From the send-off ceremony this morning.
Photo shared by a MaxDefense community member who wish to remain anonymous.

The crew will undergo training and familarization on the ship, both in operation and maintenance. MaxDefense also received word that the crew will also cross-train with the ROKN’s active-service Pohang-class corvettes as part of the program.

Currently the ship is drydocked in South Korea as it undergo repair and refurbishing works prior to transfer to the Philippine Navy.

According to the PN’s Flag Officer in Command, Vice Adm. Robert Emperdrad, the BRP Conrado Yap (PS-39) could be home by March or April 2019. 1-2 months of training would be sufficient based on our opinion, referencing from training deployments made by the PN in the past.

Good luck to the men and women of the BRP Conrado Yap (PS-39)!


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First edit and release: 13 February 2019
Copyright MaxDefense Philippines


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U P D A T E S:
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13 March 2019:
Further information provided to MaxDefense indicated that the sailors from the Philippine Navy's Offshore Combat Force that were sent to South Korea last month was just the first batch, while majority of PN personnel to man the BRP Conrado Yap (PS-39) will only be leaving for South Korea next month.

Also, it appears that the expected delivery of the Pohang-class corvette by March or April 2019 is not possible anymore, and the new delivery schedule points closer to June 2019. It is still possible though that the formal hand-over of the ship to the Philippine Navy can be made by April or May 2019, although this remains tentative and fluid.

Meanwhile the PN's FOIC VAdm. Robert Empedrad confirmed in a lengthy interview with DWDD Katropa Radio that his visit to South Korea on 17-19 May 2019 together with Defense Sec. Delfin Lorenzana includes a visit to the BRP Conrado Yap and the Philippine Navy crew training on it.