Philippine Navy's newest patrol vessel arrives from South Korea

The Philippine Navy has welcomed its newest offshore patrol vessel, the future BRP Rajah Sulayman, which arrived in the country from South Korea on January 17.

Navy officials said the vessel entered Philippine waters after a transoceanic voyage and was met off the waters of Zambales by the BRP Jose Rizal, the Navy’s first missile-capable frigate, in accordance with standard naval protocols for incoming ships.

Following the rendezvous at sea, the future BRP Rajah Sulayman proceeded to Naval Station Jose Andrada, where it will undergo post-delivery activities, including technical inspections and systems checks.

The ship is scheduled to pass through acceptance and pre-commissioning processes before its formal entry into active service. Once commissioned, the patrol vessel is expected to bolster the Navy’s maritime defense and law enforcement missions, particularly in patrol, surveillance, and presence operations.

The arrival of the future BRP Rajah Sulayman forms part of the Philippine Navy’s ongoing modernization program aimed at building a more capable, multi-domain, and self-reliant naval force amid evolving maritime security challenges.—Sherylin Untalan/AOL, GMA Integrated News