The Philippine Navy (PN) formally christened its first pair of Shaldag MK V fast attack interdictor craft-missiles (FAIC-Ms) on Tuesday, Sept. 6, which could be crucial for the protection of the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
The two FAIC-Ms were acquired by the PN from Israel Shipyards Ltd., and christened as BRP Nestor Acero (PG-901) and BRP Lolinato To-Ong (PG-902) at the PN headquarters in Naval Station Jose Andrada in Manila.
The small but agile, offensive, and missile-equipped vessels were named after two Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) officers who were bestowed with the highest military award for courage, the Medal of Valor, in 1983 and 2000 respectively.
The fast attack craft measure 32.65 meters in height and weigh 95 tons, making it the largest of such vessels in the Shaldag-class. It has a maximum speed of 40 knots, and a range of 1,000 nautical miles at 12 knots.
According to the Israel Shipyards Ltd., the Shaldag MK V fast attack craft is a “combat-proven, all aluminum, light and fast vessel” that provides a “high level of maneuverability and seakeeping.” It is designed to operate in distant areas during naval security missions, and is “cost-effective with a high ratio of firepower-to-displacement ratio.”
“The Shaldag MK V is a recognized leader in the protection of littoral and EEZ waters,” it added.
Commander Benjo Negranza, PN spokesperson, said BRP Nestor Acero and BRP Lolinato To-Ong are the first two of nine FAIC-Ms acquired by the Navy from the Israeli company as part of the PN’s FAIC Acquisition Project worth P10 billion. The project was approved in 2019 under the second horizon of the revised modernization program of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
Three more units will be delivered this year while the other four units will be locally constructed at a PN shipyard in Sangley Point, Cavite.
The local manufacturing of the vessels was part of the acquisition deal through the transfer of technology program between the PN and Israel Shipyards Ltd., a “first of its kind” in their defense cooperation.
Through the high-speed vessels, it enabled the PN to make a "leap-frog" approach in strengthening the country’s littoral defense capability in areas of warfare, sustainment, and technical knowledge as it can interdict or intercept surface threats.
The fast attack craft were launched in Haifa, Israel on June 26 and underwent pre-delivery inspection in the same month. It was loaded on a cargo ship before being transported to the Philippines late last month.