MANILA, Philippines — The most advanced and modern warships of the Philippine Navy (PN) will be participating in this year's "Balikatan" exercises along with the United States military scheduled tentatively between April and May. Capt. Marissa Martinez, PN spokesman, said the Rizal and Malvar classes, landing docks and fast interdiction craft-missile would be joining the annual exercise. The Jose Rizal-class frigates (HDF-2600 type) are the first purpose-built, missile-capable, multi-role warships of the Philippine Navy, designed for anti-air, anti-surface, sub-surface, and electronic warfare. The Miguel Malvar-class frigates are modern guided-missile frigates designed for advanced anti-air, anti-surface, and anti-submarine warfare. Currently, the Navy has two Rizal-class guided missile frigates – the lead ship BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150) and the BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151), both delivered by South Korean shipbuilder HD Hyundai Heavy Industries in 2020 and 2021. With dimensions of 107-meters and 2600 tonnage, the guided-missile frigates were designed for stealth and multi-mission capabilities built with advanced sensors (TRS-3D radar), anti-ship missiles (C-Star), torpedoes, a 76mm main gun, and a helicopter landing deck. Meanwhile, the two Malvar-class guided missile frigates, both delivered and commissioned last year, are more armed than the Jose Rizal-class frigates. With 3,200-tonnage, the Malvar-class frigates boasts of key features including a 16-cell Vertical Launch System (VLS), 8 anti-ship missiles, a 76mm main gun, and 35mm CIWS, designed for multi-mission, anti-air, and anti-submarine warfare with 25+ knot speeds. Meanwhile, landing docks BRP Tarlac (LD-601) and BRP Davao del Sur (LD-602) are usually used for transport and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions.