수상전투함 필리핀, 현대중공업에 호위함 2척 발주

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지난해 인도된 미겔 말바르급 호위함 2척과 동형함으로 2029년 하반기 완공 예정이네요. 

한국 조선업체, 필리핀 군함 2척 추가 계약 확보
Gordon Arthur 작성 - 2026년 1월 6일

2025년 12월 계약은 HD현대중공업이 건조할 HDF-3200급 호위함 2척을 추가로 포함한다. (필리핀 해군)
마닐라는 한국 조선업체 HD현대중공업(HHI)에 필리핀 해군을 위한 호위함 2척을 추가로 건조하는 데 총 344억 페소(미화 5억 8,500만 달러) 규모의 계약을 부여했다.

2025년 12월 22일에 낙찰 통지서가 발행됐고, 나흘 뒤에 정식 계약이 체결됐다. 무장을 포함하면 이 호위함 2척의 비용은 약 430억 페소에 달한다. 이들 함정은 2029년 하반기에 완공될 예정이다.

유능한 군함은 필리핀에 매우 중요하다. 필리핀 정부가 남중국해에서 중국의 공격적인 행동과 불법적인 영유권 주장을 상대하고 있기 때문이다. 이번 호위함 도입은 필리핀 군의 ‘리-호라이즌 3(Re-Horizon 3)’ 프로그램에 포함된다.

HD현대중공업 함정·중형선 사업부문 사장 주원호는 “이번 계약은 신뢰를 바탕으로 구축된 한국과 필리핀 간의 강력한 전략적 파트너십을 증명하는 것이며, HD현대중공업의 기술력과 프로젝트 관리 역량을 입증한다”고 밝혔다.

국방부는 앞서 이번 계약이 ‘재고 기반(inventory based)’일 것이라고 확인했는데, 이는 사실상 반복 주문임을 의미한다.

지난해 3,200톤급 HDF-3200 하이브리드 미겔 말바르급 호위함 2척이 필리핀 해군(PN)에 인도됐으며, 이번에 주문된 최신 2척도 논리적으로 동일한 설계를 기반으로 한다.

초도 HDF-3200급은 VL MICA 함대공 미사일용 16셀 수직발사체계를 갖추고 있으며, SSM-700K C-STAR 대함미사일 8기, 아셀산 괵데니즈 35mm 근접방어무기체계, 76mm 함포, 3연장 어뢰발사관 2기를 보유하고 있다.

그러나 필리핀 해군의 인포그래픽은 두 번째 호위함 2척에 대해 여러 가지 개선 사항을 강조했다. 이는 초도 HDF-3200급 2척에 비해 무장과 센서에 더 높은 예산이 배정된 데에도 반영돼 있다.

수직발사체계는 더 장거리의 함대공 미사일을 장착할 수 있도록 설계됐으며, “정확도가 향상된 첨단 함포 체계”도 포함된다. 또한 능동형 전자주사식 배열(AESA) 레이더는 회전식이 아닌 고정식 패널을 갖출 예정이다. 전자광학 및 사격통제 체계도 강화되며, 전자대응 체계 역시 개선된다.

향후 무장 업그레이드를 위한 공간과 중량 여유도 확보돼 있다. 예를 들어 예인식 배열 소나 체계, 대드론 체계, 근거리 방어를 위한 추가 30mm 기관포 등이 포함될 수 있다.

필리핀 해군은 또한 신형 호위함이 “더 긴 작전 반경과 향상된 내항성”을 갖추게 돼, 더 오랫동안 순찰이 가능하고 해상 존재감을 더 효과적으로 유지할 수 있다고 설명했다.

관련 계약으로, 한화시스템은 12월 31일 필리핀 군함 2척을 위한 향상된 전투관리체계와 데이터 링크에 대해 400억 원(미화 2,800만 달러) 규모의 계약을 수주했다고 발표했다. 이는 각각 네이벌 실드 베이스라인 2.4와 링크 P로 추정된다.

한국에서 수빅만으로 향하는 인도 항해 중인 필리핀 해군 호위함 BRP 디에고 실랑(FFG-07)의 모습. (필리핀 해군)
이번 2025년 12월 계약으로 HD현대중공업이 필리핀 해군을 위해 건조 중인 수상 전투함은 총 12척이 된다. 한국과 필리핀 양국이 2009년에 ‘특정 방산물자 조달을 위한 이행 협정’을 체결한 이후, 마닐라는 서울로부터 군사 장비를 지속적으로 도입해 왔다.

HDF-2600 호세 리잘급 호위함 2척은 2020~2021년에 인도됐으며, HD현대중공업은 현재 필리핀 해군을 위해 HDP-2200+ 해상초계함 6척을 건조 중이다. 이 가운데 첫 번째 함정인 BRP 라자 술라이만은 공식적으로 3월 인도가 예정돼 있지만, 이번 달에 인도될 것이라는 보도도 있다.

HD현대중공업은 세계 최대 조선업체다. 2025년 울산 조선소를 둘러보는 자리에서 회사는 필리핀을 “전략적 고객”으로 묘사했다. 한 관계자는 Asian Military Review에 “상선이 우리의 주력 사업이며, 해군 함정 매출은 HD현대중공업 매출의 약 10% 수준”이라고 말했다. 그는 이어 HD현대중공업의 해군 함정 사업이 계속 성장할 것으로 기대한다고 덧붙였다.

필리핀으로부터 반복 주문이 이어지는 이유에 대해, 이 관계자는 회사의 설계 역량과 유연성, 빠르고 정시(때로는 조기) 인도와 높은 품질, 예산 내 건조, 그리고 프로젝트 관리의 유연성을 강조했다.

2025년 HD현대중공업은 상선 48척과 해군 함정 2척을 고객에게 인도할 것으로 예상했다. 이로써 현재까지 건조한 해군 함정 수는 총 149척에 이르렀다.

한편 HD현대중공업은 2025년 9월 초 수빅만에서 상선 강재 절단식을 통해 조선소를 공식 개소했다. 이 시설은 2019년 파산한 한진중공업 필리핀 법인의 기존 단지 내에 위치해 있으며, 장차 250만 재화중량톤의 건조 능력을 갖출 예정이다.

HD현대중공업은 이 단지의 입주 업체 중 하나로, 향후 유지·보수·정비(MRO) 시설도 이곳에 구축할 계획이다. 이는 필리핀 해군의 한국산 군함을 지속적으로 지원하는 데 기여할 수 있을 것으로 보인다.

Gordon Arthur 작성

South Korean shipbuilder secures contract for two more Philippine warships - Asian Military Review

South Korean shipbuilder secures contract for two more Philippine warships - Asian Military Review

South Korean shipbuilder secures contract for two more Philippine warships

By

 Gordon Arthur

 -

January 6, 2026

The December 2025 contract covers two additional HDF-3200 frigates to be constructed by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries. (PN)

Manila has awarded South Korean shipbuilder HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) a contract worth PHP34.4 billion (US$585 million) to construct two more frigates for the country’s navy.

A notice of award was issued on 22 December 2025, with a formal contract signed four days later. When weapons are included, the pair of frigates will cost approximately PHP43 billion. They are due to be completed in the second half of 2029.

Capable warships are important for the Philippines, as the government faces down aggressive Chinese behaviour and illegal territorial claims in the South China Sea. This frigate acquisition falls under the Philippine military’s Re-Horizon 3 programme.

Joo Won-ho, President of HD HHI’s Warship and Medium-sized Ship Business Division, stated, “This contract is a testament to the strong strategic partnership between Korea and the Philippines, built on trust, and validates HD Hyundai Heavy Industries’ technological capabilities and project management expertise.”

The Department of National Defense had earlier confirmed the contract would be “inventory based,” tantamount to saying it is a repeat order.

Two 3,200-tonne HDF-3200 Hybrid Miguel Malvar-class frigates were handed over to the Philippine Navy (PN) last year, so the latest two to be ordered are logically based on the same design.

The initial HDF-3200s boast a 16-cell vertical launching system for VL MICA air defence missiles, plus they possess eight SSM-700K C-STAR anti-ship missiles, an Aselsan Gökdeniz 35mm close-in weapon system, a 76mm naval gun and two triple torpedo launchers.

However, a PN infographic highlighted several improvements for the second brace of frigates. This is reflected in a higher budget allocation for weapons and sensors compared to the first pair of HDF-3200 frigates.

The vertical launching system has provision for longer-range air defence missiles to be fitted, as well as “an advanced naval gun system with higher accuracy”. Also, the active electronically scanned array radar will feature fixed panels, rather than a rotating type. The electro-optic and fire control systems are enhanced too, as is the electronic countermeasures suite.

There are also space and weight margins for future weapon upgrades. This might include a towed-array sonar system, anti-drone system and additional 30mm cannon for close-range defence, for example.

The PN also explained the new frigates have a “longer operational range and seakeeping,” meaning they can patrol for longer and therefore better sustain a maritime presence.

In a related deal, Hanwha Systems announced on 31 December that it had received a KRW40 billion (US$28 million) contract for improved combat management systems and data links for the two Philippine warships. These are assumed to be Naval Shield Baseline 2.4 and Link P respectively.

The Philippine Navy frigate BRP Diego Silang (FFG-07) is seen on its delivery voyage from South Korea to Subic Bay. (PN)

This December 2025 contract brings to twelve the number of surface combatants that HHI is building for the PN. Since the two countries signed the Implementation Agreement for the Procurement of Specific Defense Products between Korea and the Philippines in 2009, Manila has regularly procured military equipment from Seoul.

Two HDF-2600 Jose Rizal-class frigates were delivered in 2020-21, and HD HHI is currently building six HDP-2200+ offshore patrol vessels for the PN. The first of these, BRP Rajah Sulayman, is officially due for delivery in March, but there are reports handover will occur this month.

HD HHI is the world’s largest shipbuilder. During a tour of its Ulsan shipyard in 2025, the company described the Philippines as a “strategic customer”. One official told Asian Military Review, “Commercial ships are our major business, and naval ship revenue is around 10% at HHI.” The representative added that HD HHI expects its naval ship business to continue growing.

Ascribing reasons for repeat orders from the Philippines, the official highlighted the company’s design capability and flexibility; fast on-time delivery (even early delivery) with high quality; construction within budget; and flexibility in project management.

In 2025, HD HHI had expected to deliver 48 commercial vessels and two naval ships to customers. This brought to 149 the number of naval vessels the shipbuilder has built to date.

Incidentally, HD HHI inaugurated a shipyard at Subic Bay in early September 2025 with a steel cutting ceremony for a commercial ship. The facility, located within the former Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Philippines complex that went bankrupt in 2019, will eventually reach a capacity of 2.5 million deadweight tonnes.

HD HHI is one of the complex’s tenants, and it plans to also establish a maintenance, repair and overhaul facility there. This could then help sustain the PN’s South Korean-built warships.

by Gordon Arthur

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10여년 사이에 전력증강을 엄청 하네요
2010년대까지만해도 대공미사일은 커녕 대함미사일조차 장착한 함정이 없었고 2차대전때 운용했던 캐논급 호위함과 참수리급 제비급 고속정이 해군의 주전력이었는데 이제 한국산 신조함정들로 채워나가고 있네요

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중국해군을 직접 상대해야하니.. ㅎㅎ

일본해군의 퇴역 호위함은 언제쯤 인도될 지 모르겠네요.