By Komfie Manalo
Israel delivered two more missile-firing fast attack interdiction craft (FAIC), also known as the Acero-class patrol vessels, bringing the total number of FAICs operated by the Philippine Navy (PN) to eight.
Philippine Fleet (PF) spokesperson Lt. Giovanni Badidles said the two FAICs were delivered at Pier 15 of the Manila South Harbor on Sept. 17. Only one boat is pending delivery by the contractor Israeli Shipyards Ltd.
"These two FAICs, to be designated with bow numbers PG-908 and PG-909, will be the seventh and the eighth fast boats under the Acero-class patrol vessels," Badidles said in a message to reporters.
"Similar with their predecessors, the newly delivered platforms are designed for high-speed operations, featuring advanced missile systems and sophisticated onboard technology, which enhances the PN's capability to conduct rapid and effective maritime interdiction operations," Badidles said.
He also said the arrival of these vessels underscores the continued modernization of the PN and represents a crucial step toward bolstering Manila's Self-Reliant Defense Posture (SRDP) program.
On May 22 this year, the PN formally commissioned the fifth and sixth FAICs into service and named them BRP Herminigildo Yurong (PG-906) and BRP Laurence Narag (PG-907). These two FAICs are equipped with the Spike NLOS (non-line-of-sight) missile systems.
The PN received the two gunboats from Israel Shipyards Ltd. on Nov. 18, 2023.
The vessels were named after two Medal of Valor awardees, the late Marine Staff Sgt. Herminigildo Yurong and Marine Cpl. Laurence Narag, who perished in the line of duty during the Philippine government's campaign against Moro rebels in Mindanao in 2000.
The first two Acero-class gunboats, the BRP Nestor Acero (PG-901) and BRP Lolinato To-Ong (PG-902) were delivered in September 2022 and commissioned two months later.
The third and fourth FAICs, the BRP Gener Tinangag (PG-903) and BRP Domingo Deluana (PG-905) were delivered in April 2023 and commissioned the following month.
Four ships will be armed with NLOS missiles with pinpoint accuracy and a range of 25 km. While the other five will be armed with Typhoon-mounted 30mm main cannons and .50 caliber heavy machine guns.
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