Hanwha Systems has secured its fifth export contract for naval combat systems to the Philippine NavyThe company announced on December 31 that it has signed a contract worth approximately KRW 40 billion (around USD 30 million) to supply Combat Management Systems (CMS) and Tactical Data Links (TDL) for two 3,200-ton next-generation frigates to be operated by the Philippine Navy.
The combat management system serves as the core command-and-control architecture of a modern warship, integrating data from multiple onboard sensors to detect, track, and evaluate threats in real time while coordinating naval guns, missiles, and other weapon systems. The tactical data link enables real-time information sharing among maritime and joint forces, enhancing situational awareness and operational effectiveness during complex naval operations.
With the latest agreement, Hanwha Systems will have delivered indigenous Korean combat systems to a total of 15 Philippine Navy vessels across five separate acquisition programs. The company first entered the Philippine naval market in 2017 with the supply of combat systems for two 2,600-ton frigates, followed by a combat system upgrade for three Del Pilar-class frigates in 2019. Additional contracts included systems for two 3,100-ton corvettes ordered in 2022 and six 2,400-ton offshore patrol vessels contracted in 2023, culminating in the current deal for two next-generation frigates.
The CMS and tactical data link solutions for the new frigates will be tailored to the Philippines’ demanding maritime security environment, characterized by an archipelagic geography of more than 7,600 islands, extensive littoral zones, and wide-area surveillance requirements. Industry analysts note that system adaptability and interoperability with existing platforms have been critical factors behind Hanwha Systems’ repeat success in the Philippine Navy’s fleet modernization programs.
Hanwha Systems has developed its naval combat management systems using fully indigenous technology since the early 2000s, and its CMS is now deployed across nearly all major surface and subsurface platforms operated by the Republic of Korea Navy. Company officials emphasized that this operational track record has strengthened confidence among overseas customers seeking proven, cost-effective combat system solutions.
Beyond combat management systems, Hanwha Systems has also expanded into advanced naval automation technologies, including Engineering Control Systems (ECS) and Condition-Based Maintenance Systems (CBMS)—capabilities previously held by only a limited number of advanced naval powers. The company said it plans to leverage these technologies to further expand exports across Southeast Asia, the Middle East, the Americas, and Europe.
K-DEFENSE NEWS | Strategic Analysis Desk
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