Philippine Navy probes failed launch of target drone

Carlito Galvez Jr., Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Toribio Adaci Jr. STORY: Philippine Navy probes failed launch of target drone

The Philippine Navy chief, Vice Adm. Toribio Adaci Jr. (right), briefs President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during the Navy capability demo. With them is Acting Defense Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. (Photo from the Facebook of the Philippine Navy)

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Navy has started investigating the failed launch of the target drone during last week’s surface-to-air missile live fire test, Flag Officer in Command Vice Adm. Toribio Adaci Jr. said.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was supposed to witness the event in Zambales on Friday last week as part of the main highlight of the Navy’s demonstration of its new combat capabilities but the target drone that was supposed to serve as a mock target for the Mistral 3 surface-to-air missile did not take off.

“There is an ongoing investigation internally,” Adaci said. A new schedule for the live fire for the missile will be held “as soon as the drone target is okay.”

—FRANCES MANGOSING

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