BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151)

Philippines
NameBRP Antonio Luna
NamesakeAntonio Narciso Luna de San Pedro y Novicio Ancheta
Ordered24 October 2016
BuilderHyundai Heavy Industries
Cost₱7.872B (FY2016) excluding munitions
Laid down23 May 2019
Launched8 November 2019
Commissioned19 March 2021
IdentificationFF-151
StatusIn active service
Badge
General characteristics
Class and typeJose Rizal-class frigate
Displacement2,600 tonnes
Length107 m (351 ft 1 in)
Beam13.8 m (45 ft 3 in)
Draft3.65 m (12 ft 0 in)
Depth6.9 m (22 ft 8 in)
Installed power4 × MTU-STX 12V2000-M41B diesel generators, each producing around 650 kW (872 shp)
Propulsion
Speed25 knots (46 km/h; 29 mph)
Range4,500 nmi (8,300 km; 5,200 mi)
Endurance30 days
Boats & landing
craft carried		2 × RHIB
Complement
  • Accommodation for 110 persons:
  • Crew: 65
  • Non-organic: 25
  • Additional personnel: 20
Sensors and
processing systems
  • Combat systems:
  • Hanwha Systems Naval Shield Baseline 2 Integrated CMS
  • Search radar:
  • Hensoldt TRS-3D Baseline D multi-mode phased array C-band radar
  • Navigation radar:
  • Kelvin Hughes SharpEye I-band & E/F-band radars
  • Fire control radar:
  • Selex ES NA-25X fire control radar
  • Electro-Optical Tracking System:
  • Safran PASEO NS electro-optical
  • Tactical Data Link:
  • Hanwha Systems Link P (Link K Derivative)
  • Link 16 LOS datalink (planned)
  • Link 22 BLOS datalink (planned)
  • Sonar:
  • Harris Model 997 medium frequency active/passive hull mounted sonar
  • Thales CAPTAS-2 towed array sonar (planned)
Electronic warfare
& decoys
  • RESM:
    Elbit Systems Elisra NS9003A
  • Countermeasures:
    2 × Terma C-Guard DL-6T decoy launchers
Armament
Aircraft carried1 × AW159 Wildcat naval helicopter
Aviation facilities
  • Flight deck: 12 t helicopter
  • Enclosed hangar: 10 t helicopter

BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151) is the second ship of the Jose Rizal class of guided missile frigates in service with the Philippine Navy.[1] She is able to conduct multi-role operations such anti-surface warfare (ASUW), anti-submarine warfare (ASW), and limited anti-air warfare (AAW).[2] She is one of the service's primary warships until the introduction of new and more powerful contemporaries.

Construction and design

The BRP Antonio Luna was designed and built by Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) of South Korea, and is based on the shipbuilder's HDF-2600 design, which in turn was derived from the Incheon-class frigate of the Republic of Korea Navy (ROK Navy). Changes were made on the base design by making use of design developments and features found on newer frigates of the ROK Navy, considering reduced radar cross-section by having cleaner lines, smooth surface design, reduced overhangs and a low freeboard.[3]

On September 17, 2018, the steel cutting ceremony was held for P160 (project number of second of two frigates) at HHI shipyard at the Shin Hwa Tech facility in Pohang City, South Korea, marking the first step of the ship's construction journey.[4] On December 20, Lorenzana announced at a press conference the names of the two future frigates being built by HHI: BRP Jose Rizal and BRP Antonio Luna.[5]

On May 23, 2019, HHI held the keel laying ceremony for P160 at HHI shipyard, marking the formal start of the construction of the ship.[6] In the press briefing the same day, a Hanwha official said that Link 16 will likely not be compatible for the frigates until 2020 because of issues between US and South Korea.[4] On November 8, HHI launched the second ship, the prospective BRP Antonio Luna, at Ulsan shipyard in South Korea.[7]

The ship's outfitting, sea trials and delivery were affected by restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[8] HHI conducted sea trials to test the ship's seaworthiness, propulsion, communications, weapons and sensor systems.[9][10]

On December 18, 2020, the Philippine Navy's Technical Inspection and Acceptance Committee declared that the ship is compliant with the agreed technical specifications after witnessing its sea trials.[11] This paved way for the frigate re-docking and final outfitting before delivery.[11]

On January 29, 2021, the prospective BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151) was approved for delivery and acceptance by a joint Department of National Defense and Philippine Navy inspection team.[12] On February 9, the ship was met by BRP Jose Rizal in the vicinity of Capones Island, Zambales after leaving South Korea four days ago.[13] This was complemented by a fly-by of three FA-50 light fighter jets from the Philippine Air Force.[13] On March 19, the ship was officially commissioned as BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151). The ceremony happened at 8 o`clock in the morning at Pier 13, South Harbor, Manila.[14] It was attended by Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and Philippine Navy Rear Admiral Adelius Bordado.[14]

Service history

The BRP Antonio Luna sailed to Palawan on their first deployment.[15]

Antonio Luna conducted a man overboard drill in the South China Sea on February 21, 2022.[16] Antonio Luna participated in RIMPAC 2022[17] where it was adjudged one of the best Gunnery Ships in the Exercise, earning third place in the "Naval Surface Fire Support (NSFS) Rodeo" despite joining the exercise for the first time and being commissioned into Service for just over a year.[18][19]

On 27 April 2023, Antonio Luna departed Naval Operating Base Subic to take part in the ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise (AIME) 2023 to be held on May 2–8 at Singapore.[20] Antonio Luna with its crew launched maritime patrol in the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea) on September 22–24, and visited Philippine-occupied islands of Thitu Island (Pag-asa), Northeast Cay (Parola), West York Island (Likas), and Nanshan Island (Lawak).[21] On 9 October, Antonio Luna participated in the exercise Sama-Sama 2023, together with other navies from the United States, Japan, Canada, and United Kingdom.[22]

On 7 April 2024, Antonio Luna conducted a joint patrol in the South China Sea with BRP Gregorio del Pilar, BRP Valentin Diaz, USS Mobile of the United States Navy, HMAS Warramunga of the Royal Australian Navy, and JS Akebono of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. This marked the first multinational patrol between the nations.[23]

References

  1. ^ Bajo, Anna Felicia (November 8, 2019). "PHL Navy's second missile frigate launched in South Korea". GMA News Online. Archived from the original on September 23, 2023. Retrieved November 8, 2019.
  2. ^ Nepomuceno, Priam (December 30, 2020). "Delivery of primary weapons for Navy frigates set for 2021, 2022". Philippine News Agency. Archived from the original on January 4, 2021. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  3. ^ "Hyundai Heavy Industries To Build Two 2,600 Ton Frigates For Philippine Navy". Defense World. October 24, 2016. Archived from the original on October 27, 2016. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
  4. ^ a b Mangosing, Frances (May 24, 2020). "A timeline: Philippine Navy rides waves of frigates deal". INQUIRER.net. Archived from the original on 9 April 2023. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
  5. ^ Nepomuceno, Priam (December 20, 2018). "Lorenzana reveals names of PH's first-missile capable frigates". Philippine News Agency. Archived from the original on December 20, 2018. Retrieved December 20, 2018.
  6. ^ Tiamzon, Gaile (May 23, 2019). "Keel Laying Ceremony Held For Future BRP Antonio Luna". Mintfo. Archived from the original on September 19, 2020. Retrieved May 23, 2019.
  7. ^ Mangosing, Frances (November 8, 2019). "LOOK: Korean shipyard launches PH Navy's second missile-capable frigate". INQUIRER.net. Archived from the original on 23 August 2023. Retrieved November 8, 2019.
  8. ^ Sadongdong, Martin (August 10, 2020). "Delivery of future BRP Antonio Luna delayed due to pandemic — Navy chief". Manila Bulletin. Archived from the original on August 10, 2020. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  9. ^ Nepomuceno, Priam (October 8, 2020). "BRP Antonio Luna's 1st sea acceptance trials 'satisfactory': Navy". Philippine News Agency. Archived from the original on 13 May 2023. Retrieved October 8, 2020.
  10. ^ Nepomuceno, Priam (December 14, 2020). "BRP Antonio Luna out to sea for weapons, sensors trial: PH Navy". Philippine News Agency. Archived from the original on 13 May 2023. Retrieved December 14, 2020.
  11. ^ a b Nepomuceno, Priam (December 19, 2020). "2nd missile-frigate BRP Antonio Luna completes sea trials". Philippine News Agency. Archived from the original on May 13, 2023. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
  12. ^ Nepomuceno, Priam (January 29, 2021). "PH's 2nd missile frigate certified 'ready for delivery'". Philippine News Agency. Archived from the original on May 13, 2023. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
  13. ^ a b Nepomuceno, Priam (February 9, 2021). "2nd missile frigate BRP Antonio Luna now in PH waters". Philippine News Agency. Archived from the original on May 13, 2023. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
  14. ^ a b Dominguez, Gabriel (19 March 2021). "Philippine Navy commissions second and final José Rizal-class guided-missile frigate". Janes. Archived from the original on 30 May 2021. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
  15. ^ Nepomuceno, Priam (10 June 2021). "BRP Antonio Luna deployed to maiden mission in Palawan". Philippine News Agency. Archived from the original on 13 May 2023. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
  16. ^ "BRP Antonio Luna performs 'man overboard' drills in WPS". Philippine News Agency.
  17. ^ Nepomuceno, Priam (27 June 2022). "PH Navy's BRP Antonio Luna arrives in Hawaii for RIMPAC 2022". Philippine News Agency. Archived from the original on 28 June 2022. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
  18. ^ Nepomuceno, Priam (5 August 2022). "BRP Antonio Luna named among RIMPAC's best gunnery ships". Philippine News Agency. Archived from the original on 21 March 2023. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
  19. ^ Mangosing, Frances (8 August 2022). "BRP Antonio Luna makes PH proud". Inquirer.net. Archived from the original on 23 September 2023. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
  20. ^ Nepomuceno, Priam (28 April 2023). "PH Navy deploys BRP Antonio Luna for ASEAN-India drills". Philippine News Agency. Archived from the original on 2 May 2023. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
  21. ^ Nepomuceno, Priam (28 September 2023). "Navy frigate BRP Antonio Luna holds another West PH Sea patrol". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
  22. ^ Sadongdong, Martin (9 October 2023). "PH, US navies begin sea phase of Exercise 'SAMA SAMA'". Manila Bulletin. Archived from the original on 10 October 2023. Retrieved 10 October 2023.
  23. ^ Lariosa, Aaron-Matthew (7 April 2024). "U.S., Japanese and Australian Warships Join Philippine Forces in South China Sea Patrol". USNI News. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
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