The Philippines took possession of the first of two corvette-class warships with “advanced weapons and radar systems” on Tuesday as it faces growing pressure from Beijing in the disputed South China Sea.

The arrival of the 3,200-ton BRP Miguel Malvar was part of a two-ship deal with South Korea’s Hyundai Heavy Industries in 2021.

Its sister ship, the BRP Diego Silang, was formally launched in Ulsan, South Korea, last month but has yet to begin its journey to the Philippines.

Corvettes are small, fast warships mainly used to protect other vessels from attack.

The arrival of the ship marks “a critical step toward developing a self-reliant and credible defense posture,” the Department of National Defense said in a statement.

It follows months of confrontations between Philippine and Chinese vessels in the South China Sea, which Beijing claims almost in its entirety despite an international ruling that favored the Philippines’ claim to a portion of the waters.

“(The) Miguel Malvar is here today not only to serve as a deterrent and protector of our waters but also as an important component in joint and combined operations” with allies, Philippine Defense chief Gilberto Teodoro said at a Subic Bay naval base ceremony.

The deal for the two ships was first unveiled in 2021, five years after Hyundai Heavy Industries won the contract to build two frigates for the Philippine Navy.

The Navy said last month the two corvettes would “significantly enhance the country’s naval capabilities amid growing security challenges in the West Philippine Sea.”

Pushback

On Tuesday, the Philippine Coast Guard separately welcomed the donation of 20 Australian surveillance drones the PCG commander said would extend the coverage area of its vessels by a “significant distance.”

Using drones will “save fuel and it will be less risky for our people,” PCG Commandant Ronnie Gil Gavan said at a ceremony in coastal Bataan province.

The Philippines has been deepening its ties with allies and more aggressively pushing back on Beijing’s sweeping South China Sea claims since President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. took office in 2022.

In December, Manila said it planned to acquire the US mid-range Typhon missile system in a bid to secure its maritime interests.

Beijing warned the purchase could spark a regional “arms race.”

Last week, the United States said it had approved the sale of F-16 fighter jets for $5.58 billion to the Philippines, though Manila said the deal was “still in the negotiation phase.”