Philippine Navy unveils two more Israeli-made gunboats

PHOTO: INQUIRER.net / Ryan Leagogo

CAVITE CITY, Philippines — The Philippine Navy unveiled here on Monday two new gunboats docked at the Naval Station Pascual Ledesma.

The Navy introduced two fast attack interdiction craft platforms delivered last April 11 — BRP Gener Tinangag and BRP Domingo Deluana — now bearing the names of Medal of Valor awardees.

The BRP Gener Tinangag and BRP Domingo Deluana during their christening at the Philippine Navy’s Pascual Ledesma Naval Station on May 8, 2023. The new two gunboats built by Israel Shipyards Inc. are fast-attack interdiction craft platforms delivered to the Philippines on April 11, 2023. INQUIRER.net / Ryan Leagogo

The Acero-class patrol gunboats were part of the nine platforms contracted with Israel Shipyards Inc. joining the frontrunners BRP Nestor Acero and BRP Lolinato To-ong, also named before the personnel which received the highest military honor.

Despite being christened, the two vessels have not been commissioned yet.

The BRP Gener Tinangag and BRP Domingo Deluana during their christening at the Philippine Navy’s Pascual Ledesma Naval Station on May 8, 2023. The new two gunboats built by Israel Shipyards Inc. are fast-attack interdiction craft platforms delivered to the Philippines on April 11, 2023. INQUIRER.net / Ryan Leagogo

A source told reporters that the commissioning ceremony will take place this year.

Meanwhile, the Navy also blessed the upgraded shipbuilding center in the said naval station, an integral part of the FAIC acquisition project which aims to boost the Navy’s shipbuilding capacity.

In fact, three of the FAIC platforms will be installed using the shipbuilding center, according to the Navy.

Capable of delivering precision strikes against larger hostiles and high-value targets on land and sea, the 32-meter long FAICs are equipped with quick intercept ability, remote stabilized weapons, and short-range missiles.

“These activities represent a great stride in the capacity enhancement and capability upgrade of the Philippine Navy, and a giant leap towards its vision of becoming modern and multi-capable to better protect our seas and secure the Filipino people,” the Navy said in a press release.

The FAIC, procured from Israel for P10 billion, are intended for territorial and coastal patrol operations.

The acquisition of these platforms is part of the Horizon 2 List of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program.

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