To arm the new frigates acquired under the Frigate Acquisition Project under the Horizon 1 phase priority project of the Revised AFP Modernization Program, the Philippine Navy (PN) undertook several sub-projects under the Frigate Acquisition Program Lot 2 - Ammunitions Acquisition Project.
Among them is the Lot 2A - Anti-Ship Missile Acquisition Project, which aims to provide a long range anti-ship capability for the new frigates.
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| The LIGNex1 SSM-700K Haeseong / C-Star subsonic anti-ship cruise missile, launched from an ROKN warship. Photo credits to Weapons Parade. |
Project Summary:
Frigate Acquisition Project Lot 2A - Anti-Ship Missile Acquisition Project
Note: Edited as of 24 May 2022:
* End User: Philippine Navy (Offshore Combat Force)
* Quantity: 1 lot
* Modernization Phase: Horizon 1 phase Priority Projects of RAFPMP
* Project ABC: Php1,195,000,000.00
* Acquisition Mode: Direct Contracting with LIGNex1
* Source of Funding: GAA Funds through AFP Modernization Program Trust Fund
* SARO Release: TBA
* Winning Proponent: LIGNex1 (South Korea)
* Product for Delivery: LIGNex1 SSM-700K Haeseong / C-Star anti-ship cruise missile
* Contract Price: approx. Php1,195,000,000.00
* Residual Amount: very minimal
* First post by MaxDefense: TBA
* Searching Hashtag: #PNFAPAShMAcquisition
* Status: NOA, Contract, and NTP released in favour of LIGNex1. Awaiting delivery by 2021. Delivery reported as of March 2022, scheduled for test firing by June 2022. PROJECT COMPLETED.
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| An Incheon-class frigate, which was the basis of the HDF-2600 design used on the Philippine Navy's Jose Rizal-class frigates, seen here firing an SSM-700K C-Star anti-ship missile during exercises. Photo credited to the Republic of Korea Navy. |
Overview:
The Philippine Navy's new frigate was specified to have at least four (4) ready-to-fire subsonic anti-ship cruise missiles, among other weapon systems, upon delivery to them.
But due to appeal by the participating shipbuilders that normally, ammunition are purchased directly by the end-user's government, the Department of National Defense Bids and Awards Commitee (BAC), and the Philippine Navy's Technical Working Group (TWG) agreed to separate the acquisition of ammunition from the entire warship, thus the Frigate Acquisition Project Lot 2 - Ammunitions sub-project was made.
Due to the ammunition to be acquired are from different manufacturers requiring different contracts, each type was divided into sub-lots, with the anti-ship cruise missile requirement designated under the Lot 2A - Anti-Ship Missile Acquisition Sub-Project.
The weapon systems to be procured are all dependent on the winning shipbuilder's overall offer, with winning shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) including the use of the LIGNex1's SSM-700K Haeseong (C-Star) anti-ship missiles for its frigate offer.
LIGNex1 and its offering were pre-qualified by the PN TWG in 2017, and was found acceptable to their requirements, and no objections were made on the use of the SSM-700K missile as part of the frigate's design. Launching platforms were designed to accommodate the missiles and its launching tubes.
LIGNex1 claims that the SSM-700K C-Star missile is superior to the American-made Boeing RGM-84 Harpoon Block II missile. No exact details were provided on the specs of the C-Star missiles for the Philippine Navy, but it is believed that the missile has a range of at least 150 kilometers and a maximum speed of around Mach 0.95, is guided by inertial - terminal active radar homing system using a Ku-band radar, and has sea-skimming capabilities.
So far, users of the SSM-700K C-Star missile includes the Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN), which has it on some (but not all) frigates, destroyers, and missile boats; and the Colombian Navy in its newly-upgraded frigates. The Philippine Navy is expected to be its 3rd user.
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| Infographic from LIGNex1's website. |
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U P D A T E S:
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27 December 2020:
There have been no recent updates on this procurement program, although it appears that the delivery deadline of 2021 remains the same. There are also no signs that the Philippine Navy already received the missiles, since the Jose Rizal-class frigates remain without its planned anti-ship missiles as of the last public viewing of the frigate which was during the 85th Founding Anniversary of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, which has a fleet review involving BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150).
This project remains one of the most difficult to get updates, although our partner MaxDefense Philippines is trying its best to get the latest information on this procurement.
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| As seen during the recent Fleet Review as part of the AFP's 85th Anniversary, the BRP Jose Rizal is seen without any anti-ship cruise missile launchers, which should be found between the funnel and the hangar superstructure. Photos credited to Philippine Navy. |
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22 May 2022:
The Philippine Navy confirmed that it has already received the delivery of SSM-700K C-Star anti-ship cruise missiles to arm the Jose Rizal-class frigates, although no date was provided.
Our partner MaxDefense Philippines believe the missiles were delivered earlier this year.
Since the previous program was for the missiles to be delivered by March 2022, it is assumed that all missiles have been delivered already to the Philippine Navy.
The Philippine Navy also mentioned that it plans to conduct test firing of the missiles, most likely by June 2022.
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First edit and release: 27 December 2020
Copyright MaxDefense Philippines / Philippine Defense Resource
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