Final inspection of Philippine Navy's second missile-capable frigate starts

The final inspection for the Philippine Navy's second missile-capable frigate, BRP Antonio Luna (FF 151), has started in Ulsan, South Korea.

According to the Philippine Navy on Tuesday, the final inspection will run from January 25 to 30.

"For verification/validation is the contractor's strict compliance to the agreed Technical Specifications and Build Specifications (TS&BS) in building and equipping PN Frigate 2," the Navy said Tuesday.

Captain Sergio Bartolome, Navy's frigate owner representative, said BRP Antonio Luna is almost 100% complete as it satisfactorily passed harbor and sea trials.

However, due to travel restriction and production disruption brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, some training activities were delayed, prompting authorities to adjust the completion dates and delivery schedules.

"If PN Frigate 2 is found compliant to TS&BS, PN FAP TIAC will issue the Certificate of Final Acceptance to Hyundai Heavy Industries, as stipulated in the contract, before the team flies back to Manila on 30 January 2021," the Navy said.

Navy chief Vice Admiral Giovanni Carlo Bacordo earlier said the vessel is expected to arrive in the country in the first quarter of 2021.

It is the country's second missile-capable frigate after the BRP Jose Rizal.

The Navy has been saying that the acquisition of these missile-capable frigates would strengthen its ability to safeguard the Philippines' maritime territory. —Anna Felicia Bajo/KBK, GMA News