MALATE, Manila — Amidst continuing aggression from Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessels in the country's exclusive economuc zone (EEZ), the Philippine Navy has announced that two corvette-class warships and six offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) are in the pipeline for acquisition as part of the modernization program of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Earlier this year, defense secretary Gilberto 'Gibo' Teodoro Jr. had disclosed President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. (PBBM)'s approval in the revisions made for the Horizon 3 phase of the AFP Modernization Program.

In 2021, the Department of National Defense (DND) signed a ₱28-billion contract with South Korean company Hyundai Heavy Industries for the acquisition of two modern corvettes for the Philippine Navy.
According to Philippine Navy spokesperson for West Philippines Sea (WPS) Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, US$35 billion or more than ₱2 trillion has been allotted for Horizon 3.

"Hindi ito one-shot deal. Hindi ito pagkatapos ay nandoon na tayo. Ito ay continuing. May assessments ito. It will be a continuing program to develop our capability," Trinidad noted.

"May iba't ibang kakayahan ito for the AFP. Cyber, command and control capabilities, sea, air, land capabilities," he added.