PH Navy commissions 2 more missile-mountable gunboats

Photo from Philippine Navy/FACEBOOK

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Navy on Wednesday said it commissioned two additional Israeli-made gunboats designed to mount missiles.

Fast Attack Interdiction Crafts (FAICs) BRP Herminigildo Yurong (PG906) and BRP Laurence Narag (PG907) were commissioned at Navy headquarters in Manila on Tuesday, according to its spokesperson Commander John Percie Alcos.

“As force multipliers, these crafts enable rapid deployment and force projection, strengthen our deterrence, and uphold maritime security across Philippine waters,” said Navy chief Vice Adm. Toribio Adaci Jr. in a statement.

Adaci called these FAICs an “indispensable assets”, the arrival of which came amid the Department of National Defense’s Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept.

“The Philippine Navy takes pride in aligning itself with the national leadership’s commitment to a defense posture that resonates with the unique characteristics and needs of our geographic configuration,” Adaci also said.

“Despite an enduring journey, the Philippine Navy remains committed to improving our physical capabilities and, more importantly, our collective consciousness to be at the forefront of our comprehensive archipelagic defense,” he continued.

These 32-meter Acero-class patrol vessels, capable of delivering precision strikes thanks to its remote stabilized weapons and short-range missiles, were also named under the Medal of Valor awardees.

Aside from them, the Navy also commissioned four more FAICs as BRP Nestor Acero, BRP Lolinato To-ong, BRP Gener Tinangag and BRP Domingo Deluana.

In total, the government acquired nine FAIC platforms from Israel, with the remaining three still under construction.