The Philippine Navy announced the arrival of the BRP Rajah Lakandula, the second of six new offshore patrol vessels, at Subic Bay.
The vessel arrived on May 4 at the Naval Operating Base Subic in Zambales, a month after departing from the shipyard of South Korean builder HD Hyundai Heavy Industries. Navy officials said the announcement came on Saturday during a ceremony. The BRP Rajah Lakandula follows the lead ship Rajah Sulayman, which arrived in January.
Vice Admiral Caesar Bernard Valencia, superintendent of the Philippine Military Academy, spoke at the event. “Today, we are not just witnessing the arrival of a new vessel; we are experiencing institutional evolution of our Navy,” he said. He added that the ship’s future missions would show the nation’s resolve to protect its interests.
The six-vessel contract is valued at 30 billion pesos. The remaining four ships are scheduled for delivery by 2028. The Rajah Lakandula measures 94.4 meters long and can carry a helicopter along with unmanned aerial vehicles.
