South Korea’s Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) has delivered the BRP Rajah Sulaiman, the first of six offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) for the Philippine Navy.

The vessel was delivered on 23 February 2026, nearly five months earlier than originally scheduled.

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According to HHI, BRP Rajah Sulaiman is equipped with an anti-submarine sonar and can be used in a range of roles, such as maritime surveillance, security tasks, and military operations, with dedicated space onboard to support different mission modules.

The company supplied the vessel after conducting a pre-delivery training programme in cooperation with the Republic of Korea Navy.

This training aimed to facilitate the Philippine Navy’s immediate and stable operation of the new ship.

BRP Rajah Sulayman was launched at the HD HHI shipyard in Ulsan, South Korea, on 11 June 2025 and arrived in the Philippines on 17 January this year.

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An official from HD Hyundai Heavy Industries said: “Through the early delivery of this Philippine Navy patrol vessel, we have proven HD Hyundai Heavy Industries’ reliability and delivery competitiveness at the same time.

“We will continue to contribute to the modernization of the Philippine Navy and stable operation of its forces through the construction and delivery of follow-up vessels.”

Hyundai Heavy Industries has taken part in the Philippine Navy’s fleet modernisation since 2016, securing orders for 12 vessels that include both frigates and patrol ships.

Hyundai Heavy Industries has provided five naval vessels ahead of schedule for the Philippine Navy since first delivering the frigate Jose Rizal one month early.

In December last year, the Philippine Navy commissioned BRP Diego Silang (FFG-07), a guided-missile frigate, at Naval Operating Base Subic in Zambales.