Gregorio del Pilar-class frigate

The Gregorio del Pilar class is a ship class of two frigates currently in service of the Philippine Navy, and are currently its largest class of naval combatants in its fleet. These ships were formerly used by the US Coast Guard as Hamilton class high endurance cutters.

Design
The ship was designed with a high level of habitability and provides fairly comfortable accommodations, including air conditioning.

Propulsion
The Gregorio del Pilar class are the first Philippine military vessels to employ the now common shipboard application of aircraft gas turbine jet engines with the use of controllable pitch propellers. The class are equipped with two 18000 hp Pratt & Whitney gas turbines and can propel the ship at speeds up to 28 kn. The class also has two 3500 hp Fairbanks-Morse diesel engines, capable of driving the ship economically at 17 kn for up to 14400 nmi without refueling. A retractable/rotatable bow propulsion unit provides maneuverability in tight situations.

Armaments
Prior to turn-over to the Philippine Navy, the ship was armed with a Mk.75 Oto Melara 76 mm Compact main gun, two Mk.38 M242 Bushmaster 25 mm chain gun at midships, and a Phalanx CIWS system aft. The CIWS and chain guns were removed prior to its turn-over, with the Mk.75 gun remaining.

Flight Support
The Gregorio del Pilar class has a flight deck and hangar capable of handling helicopters. Currently, a BO-105 light surveillance helicopter is assigned to BRP Gregorio del Pilar.

Future Upgrades
The Philippines reportedly ordered at least two new Mk. 38 Mod. 2 25mm chain guns, and are expected to be installed on both ships of the class.

It was also reported that the Philippine Navy will be getting sophisticated radar system capable of detecting and tracking surface threats, a Harpoon anti-ship missile system, and torpedo decoy systems. This would be purchased from the United States possibly under a government-to-government deal.