Good news for the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
It was reported in PTVNews.ph, that the Philippine
Navy (PN) will be acquiring additional three (3) multi-purpose attack craft (MPAC)
armed with the Rafael Advanced Defense Ltd. Spike-ER (extended range)
surface-to-surface missile system this year.
“We have another three (in the process of)
building, and they are expected to be delivered this year. They will also be
armed with the Spike-ER missiles,” PN flag officer-in-command Vice Admiral
Robert Empedrad said in an interview with the Philippine News Agency (PNA).
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| MPAC's of the Philippine Navy (photo credit to MaxDefense) |
These multi-purpose attack crafts (MPACs) will be
called the Mark IV and have started construction in November last year.
The PN FOIC said the builder of the Mark IV are the
same that built the previous Mark II and III.
The PN’s three Mark III MPACs were
constructed by the Subic-based Propmech Corp. and activated on May 22, 2017.
These boats can cruise up to 45 knots
and are armed with remotely-controlled .50-caliber machine guns aside from the
Spike-ER missiles.
MaxDefense in its Facebook page had this
to say with respect to this news, full quote below :
The Philippine Navy was reported to
receive the 4th batch of three Multi-Purpose Attack Crafts (MPAC) this year.
These will be also armed with Rafael Spike-ER short range small
surface-to-surface missiles and a Rafael Mini Typhoon 12.7mm RCWS.
The boats themselves were ordered as part of the 2nd List of Horizon 1
phase of the RAFPMP. While the report did not mention dates, MaxDefense sources
confirmed that the TENTATIVE arrival of the boats will be this June 2019,
although that doesn't mean actual delivery to the Philippine Navy, but rather
the
arrival in preparation for installation of subsystems and additional equipment.
The
boats themselves are being built in Taiwan by Lung Teh Shipbuilding using the
MPAC Mk.3 design with some improvements, while the armoring, installation of
communications and weapons, jumpseats and other equipment will be made in the
Philippines by Propmech Corp. Installation of additional items and weapons, as
well as the Integrated Logistics Support (ILS) for the MPACs are paid for under
the Horizon 2 phase of RAFPMP.
The missiles, launchers, and RCWS will be supplied by Rafael Advance
Systems Ltd. of Israel which were ordered through Government to Government
(G2G) deal with Israel's Ministry of Defense. These are acquired under the
Horizon 2 phase of the RAFPMP.
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Report from PTV News , MaxDefense
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