The contract involved the acquisition of two stealth frigates capable of launching antiair and antisurface missiles in addition to torpedoes. ADVERTISEMENTThe contract was awarded to Hyundai Heavy Industries in early 2016 when the company still had a partnership with the French-Korean weapons company Hanwha Thales. However, the nature of the Hanwha Thales joint venture changed during the lengthy bidding system, raising questions on the weapons system to be installed in the two frigates. “I questioned his fixation with one specific company [Thales] for the combat management system (CMS),” Lorenzana said, adding that Thales was not part of the contract awarded to Hyundai. Mr. Duterte, meantime, distanced himself from the controversy and said he usually leaves such matters to the military hierarchy.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer December 20, 2017 23:03 UTC