Phil Navy will get its new missiles for its MPACs from Israel this coming Dec.

The modernization  of the Armed Forces of the Philippines continues…though it’s a little bit slow, nevertheless its being done.

After years of waiting and wanting our armed forces to be modernized, the Philippine Navy (PN)in particular will be having something to look forward to. Santa Claus seems to have packed his gifts for the PN.



The Israeli Rafael Advanced Defense Systems' Spike ER (extended range) when it was presented to President Duterte during the commissioning of the Tarlac-class Amphibious Landing Dock BRP Davao del Sur (LD-602) (photo credit to owner)
 

After the pre-delivery inspection has been done, A Philippine Airforce plane will fly form the Philippines to Israel to transport the missiles to the Philippines, all expenses paid by the proponent, said Vice Admiral Ronald Joseph Mercado – Philippine Navy Flag-officer-in-command.

The PN confirms that the Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd's Spike ER (extended range) missile systems on its three Multi-purpose Attack Craft MPACs is due for delivery and mounting in the Philippines.

The weapons are on anti-ship mode or can engage surface vessel targets. It is capable of penetrating 1,000 mm (39 inches) of rolled homogeneous armor and has a maximum range of five miles.

The three is a 17 meter multi-purpose attack craft (MPAC) into the 3rd Boat Attack Division of the Littoral Combat Force (LCF). The vessels, which will bear the hull numbers BA-488, BA-489, and BA-491, which are newer Mark III models, are more advanced than the six Mark I and Mark IIs currently in the inventory.

The new MPACs, which were constructed by Subic Bay-based Propmech Corporation, will be armed with Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd’s Spike ER in anti-ship mode, Philippine navy officials said last May when it handed over and commissioned at Sangley Point in Cavite City.(Diplomat.com)

Contract for the three ships are worth PHP270 million which was sourced from the Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Act Trust Fund of 2000.

The contract includes mission essential equipment which includes day/night electronic navigation systems, communication suites, safety-of-life-at-sea, propulsion system and seamanship and ship-handling gears.

report from PNA