Miguel Malvar-class (HDC-3100)

The Miguel Malvar class is a group of guided-missile frigates designed and built by Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) of South Korea for the Philippine Navy. The design originated as the HDC-3100 corvette under the service's Corvette Acquisition Project, part of the Revised AFP Modernization Program's Horizon 2 phase covering 2018 to 2022, and was later reclassified from corvette to frigate (FF) and then to guided-missile frigate (FFG). The Technical Working Group used the earlier Jose Rizal-class frigate as the baseline, incorporating changes drawn from that programme. The project carried a budget of PHP28 billion, divided into Lot 1 (PHP25 billion, ships and weapon systems) and Lot 2 (PHP3 billion, munitions). Offers were received from HHI, Turkey's ASFAT, Israel Shipyards, ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems, Naval Group, Damen and Goa Shipyard; HHI and ASFAT, the latter offering a revised Ada-class corvette, were shortlisted in 2021. The Department of National Defense issued the Notice of Award to HHI on 15 December 2021, with the contract signed on 28 December 2021. A second contract for two more ships was signed on 26 December 2025, with delivery planned for 2029.

The HDC-3100, also marketed as the HDF-3100, is a lengthened and heavier development of the HDF-2600 used for the Jose Rizal class. Propulsion is a combined diesel and diesel (CODAD) arrangement of four MTU 20V 1163 M94 engines. Armament comprises a 76 mm Oto Melara Super Rapid gun forward, a 16-cell vertical launching system for VL MICA surface-to-air missiles with structural space reserved for 16 additional cells, eight SSM-710K C-Star anti-ship missiles in two quadruple launchers, two SEA triple torpedo launchers for K745 Blue Shark torpedoes, an Aselsan GÖKDENIZ 35 mm close-in weapon system above the hangar, and four 12.7 mm K6 machine guns. No small-calibre secondary gun was fitted. Sensors include the IAI Elta ELM-2258 ALPHA S-band 3D AESA radar, Hensoldt UK Mk11 SharpEye navigation radars, a Leonardo NA-25X fire control radar, a Safran PASEO XLR electro-optical system and a Harris Model 997 hull-mounted sonar. Electronic warfare equipment consists of Elbit Elisra Aquamarine R-ESM and C-ESM sets with two Terma C-Guard DL-12T decoy launchers. Hanwha Systems supplies the Naval Shield ICMS Baseline 4 combat management system and Link P data link. The flight deck and starboard hangar accommodate one 12-ton helicopter, the AW159 Wildcat.

Steel cutting for the first ship, HHI project P170, took place on 11 May 2023, and for the second, P171, on 22 November 2023. BRP Miguel Malvar (FFG-6) was launched at HHI's Ulsan shipyard on 18 June 2024, delivered on 8 April 2025 and commissioned on 20 May 2025 during the Philippine Navy's 127th founding anniversary, alongside the Acero-class fast attack interdiction craft BRP Albert Majini (PG-909). BRP Diego Silang (FFG-7) was launched on 27 March 2025, delivered on 8 September 2025 and commissioned on 2 December 2025. Two further ships, FFG-8 and FFG-9, are on order. Miguel Malvar participated in the sea phase of RIMPAC 2026, departing from Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.