BRP Conrado Yap (PS-39)
The BRP Conrado Yap (PS-39) is a Pohang-class corvette currently commissioned with the Philippine Navy. She is the service' first modern corvette[3] and one of its most heavily armed units.[4] She was originally called ROKS Chungju (PCC-762) during her service with the ROK Navy.
![]() BRP Conrado Yap (PS-39) | |
| History | |
|---|---|
| Name | ROKS Chungju |
| Builder | Korea Tacoma Shipyard |
| Launched | 24 January 1986 |
| Commissioned | 30 November 1986 |
| Decommissioned | 27 December 2016 |
| Identification | PCC-762 |
| Fate | Transferred to Philippine Navy |
| Name | BRP Conrado Yap |
| Namesake | Capt. Conrado D. Yap |
| Acquired | 5 August 2019 |
| Commissioned | 5 August 2019 |
| Identification | PS-39 (2019-present) |
| Motto | Steady on |
| Status | Active |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Pohang-class corvette |
| Displacement | 1,220 tons |
| Length | 88.3 m (290 ft) |
| Beam | 10 m (33 ft) |
| Draft | 2.9 m (9 ft 6 in) |
| Installed power | 2 × MTU 6V396 TC52 diesel generators |
| Propulsion |
|
| Speed | 32 knots (59 km/h) maximum |
| Range | 4,000 nautical miles (7,400 km) at 15 knots (28 km/h) using diesel engines |
| Endurance | 20 Days[2] |
| Boats & landing craft carried | 2 × RHIB |
| Crew | 118 |
| Sensors and processing systems |
|
| Electronic warfare & decoys | 2 × Loral Hycor Mk 34 RBOC Chaff and Decoy Launching System[2] |
| Armament |
|
Design
The ship has a length of 88.3 meters (290 ft), a beam of 10 meters (33 ft) and draft of 2.9 meters (9.5 ft). The ship has a displacement of 1,220 tons full load. It has a rated capacity for a crew consisting of 118 personnel and can operate non-stop for 20 days. The ship has a maximum speed of 30 knots and has a range of to 4,000 nautical miles. It is powered by a combined diesel or gas, and LM2500 gas turbines.
The ship was designed for coastal defense and anti-submarine operations. She is being utilized by the Philippine Navy for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) training in preparation for transition to the new frigates being built in South Korea for the Philippine Navy.[5] The Department of National Defense is trying to request for transfer of more units.
Armament
The ship's armament consists of:[6]
- two (2) Oto Melara 76mm/62 caliber Compact naval guns,
- two (2) Otobreda 40mm L/70 twin naval guns,
- two (2) Mk. 32 triple torpedo tubes,
- two (2) Mk 9 depth charge racks, and
- six (6) M2HB Browning .50 caliber machine guns.
The vessel is also equipped with a mount for a Man-portable air-defense system that can accommodate either:[6]
- MBDA Mistral SIMBAD-RC, or
- LIGNex1 Chiron VSHORAD missile system.
Service history
In 1987, she was commissioned into the ROK Navy as the ROKS Chungju (PCC-762). She was decommissioned in December 2016, after decades of service.
On August 5, 2019, she was officially transferred to the Philippine Navy during a commissioning ceremony at the Jinhae Naval Base. She was commissioned as BRP Conrado Yap (PS-39). Named after Filipino soldier Capt. Conrado Yap who fought in the Korean War.[7] She is being used, along with the new AW159 Wildcat helicopters, to build anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities of the Philippine Navy. Prior to the introduction of these assets, the Philippines lacked any ASW capabilities in a region where the number of submarines being operated by other nations was reportedly set to grow.[8]
See also
References
- Saunders, Stephen: Jane's Fighting Ships 107th Edition 2004–2005. Jane's Information Group Ltd, 2004.
- Montero, Max (12 January 2019). "Finally, PN's Pohang-class Corvette Coming Home Before Mid-Year, to be named BRP Conrado Yap (PS-39)". MaxDefense Philippines. Retrieved 7 August 2019.
- "PH Navy commissions first modern corvette into fleet". Philippine News Agency. August 6, 2019. Retrieved August 6, 2019.
- "BRP Conrado Yap most heavily-armed PH Navy unit". Philippine News Agency. August 19, 2019. Retrieved August 19, 2019.
- Nepomuceno, Priam (5 August 2019). "BRP Conrado Yap 'transition platform' for Rizal-class frigates". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved 6 August 2019.
- "Pohang (PCC Patrol Combat Corvette)". GlobalSecurity.org. 9 January 2010. Retrieved 27 March 2010.
- "PHL Navy receives, commissions newest warship from South Korea". GMA News. August 5, 2019. Retrieved August 6, 2019.
- "BRP Conrado Yap to boost PH anti-submarine capability". Philippine News Agency. August 20, 2019. Retrieved August 20, 2019.
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