MANILA — A committee under the Department of National Defense (DND) has approved the Critical Design Review (CDR) of its PHP18-billion Frigate Acquisition Project (FAP) which is under contract with South Korean shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI), the Philippine Navy confirmed Thursday.
PN spokesperson Capt. Lued Lincuna said the Technical Inspection and Acceptance Committee (TIAC), headed by Commodore Alberto Carlos, approved the CDR of the project last March 23.
The CDR was handed to the TIAC last January. It will serve as the “bible” of the shipbuilder while constructing the frigates.
Lincuna said the TIAC acceptance of the CDR marks a significant step forward and a major milestone for the project which consists of the approval of 71 critical detailed design drawings as submitted by HHI.
These drawings shall then be the basis of HHI to proceed with the project.
The next significant milestone will now be the ceremonial steel cutting which will likely be held on April 30 at HHI Complex, Ulsan, South Korea which will be attended by a delegation from the DND/PN to mark this important event.
It can be recalled that on Oct. 24, 2016, the contract agreement for the FAP was signed by DND Secretary Delfin Lorenzana as Head of Procuring Entity (HOPE), and Mr. Kisun Chung, HHI owner and vice president, for the construction of two new 2,600 ton frigates that are missile-capable and equipped with sensors and systems for modern naval warfare.
Lorenzana has expressed his utmost desire for the timely completion of the project.
Indeed, the completion of the CDR phase and the start of the steel cutting show that the FAP is moving forward without delays in accordance with the stipulations of the contract.
The two missile-armed frigates are expected to be delivered in 2020 which would cement the country’s vision of having a strong and credible Navy. (Priam Nepomuceno/PNA)
