Manila, June 12 -- The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Thursday announced that it has officially launched the BRP Rajah Sulayman (PS-20) in Ulsan, South Korea on June 11.

The BRP Rajah Sulayman is the first of the six offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) ordered from shipbuilder HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) worth around PHP30 billion in 2022.

The AFP said the launching of the ship reinforces its dedication to national sovereignty and defense modernization.

Launching is a naval tradition where the ship is transferred for the first time into the water after construction.

Present in the ceremonies were AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. and HD HHI chief operating officer and senior executive vice president Joo Won Ho.

This undersc...