Gregorio del Pilar Class Frigates to be equipped with Harpon anti-ship missiles

The Canadian frigate HMCS Regina (FFH 334) fires a Harpoon anti-ship missile during a Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) sinking exercise (in public domain)

In a report publish by Philippine online news sites, a ranking Department of National Defense (DND) official said, that the Gregorio Del Pilar class frigates of the Philipine Navy is to be equipped with Harpoon, anti-ship missile system, sophisticated radars capable of detecting and tracking incoming surface threats and an anti-missile and torpedo decoying systems, to make these Frigates a more capable vessels to satisfy our minimum deterrent capability as far as naval defense is concern

The official said the Harpoon is the ideal missile system for the Del Pilar Class, noting that one of their sister-ship, the USCGC Mellon (WHEC-717), has been fitted with the Harpoon missile launchers and test fired the weapons in January, 1990.

Sources:

1. MB.com.ph

2. PhilSTAR.com

3. Balita