Philippines to buy two new South Korean warships for US$556mil

The deal with Hyundai Heavy Industries is part of Manila's efforts to modernise its navy as it faces a dispute with Beijing in the South China Sea. - Reuters

MANILA (AFP): The Philippines has ordered two new warships from South Korea's Hyundai Heavy Industries, Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said Tuesday (Dec 28), modernising Manila's navy as it faces a dispute with Beijing in the South China Sea.

The Philippine Navy had become run down in recent decades -- even featuring US craft from World War II -- until President Rodrigo Duterte's predecessor, Benigno Aquino, began a modest modernisation programme in 2010.