The South Korean Navy is scheduled to donate a warship to the Philippine Navy in a move to improve the defense capabilities of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), considered as one of the weakest military in the Asian region.
South Korea’s Pohang-Class Corvette
The donation of Seoul, South Korea was confirmed by South Korean Defense Minister Kim Kwang-jin during the visit of the Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin to South Korea last May 30, 2014.
The Philippines’ Foreign Affairs Department announced through a statement released on Thursday was quoted saying “The Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) will decommission a Pohang-class corvette by yearend for donation to the Philippine Navy, yet another sign of the two countries’ growing defense cooperation, DFA stated.
Aside from the corvette warship to be donated to the Philippines, the South Korean military will also provide a landing craft utility, 16 rubber boats and 200 computer units to the Philippines, which allied with South Korean during the Korean War.
The Philippines delegation thanks the South Korean government not only for the upcoming donation but also for the contribution of South Korea to the Philippines in the rehabilitation of areas hit by super typhoon Yolanda.
The South Korean mission to the Philippines for the typhoon-hit provinces has been extended by six months and will be here in the country until December 2013.
This is a welcome news and excellent addition to the Philippine Navy as a Anti-Surface Warfare ASUW vessel. I just hope the South Koreans won’t take-out any of its existing weapons & surveillance platform like what the US did with the Hamilton Cl(removed). Superb propulsion (CODOG) type same as the Hamilton’s diesel and turbine powered. The only defiency of this cl(removed) of ship is very limited air defence coverage, the only air defence it has are the 2 x DARDO CIWS and Emerlec 30 mm cannon. I do suggest that the Philippine Navy at least purchase and install a minimal & credible SAM like the pedestal mounted Simbad or Sadral Missile Defence System.