The Philippine Navy (PN) formally commissions into service and subsequently deploys to their designated areas of operations the 2 brand-new, Quick Assault Interdiction Crafts (FAIC), BRP Nestor Acero (PG901) and BRP Lolinato To-ong (PG902) on the Commodore Divino Pier in PN headquarters on November 28. The Government Secretary, retired Supreme Courtroom Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin, witnessed this historic occasion because the Visitor of Honor and Speaker. He was joined by AFP Chief of Employees, Lieutenant Basic Bartolome Vicente Bacarro, Navy Chief, Rear Admiral Toribio Adaci Jr., key AFP officers, the Israeli delegation led by Ambassador Ilan Fluss and representatives of Israel Shipyards and Rafael Superior Protection Programs.
The brand-new Acero-class Patrol Gunboats are the Shaldag Mark 5 quick patrol crafts ordered from Israel Shipyards. They measure greater than 32 meters lengthy and have a most pace of above 40 knots. All platforms shall be armed with one Hurricane Machine Gun System mounted with a 30-millimeter cannon and two Mini-Hurricane Machine Gun System as secondary weapons, whereas 4 of the 9 platforms shall be fitted with the Spike Non-Line-Of-Sight Missile System. Their addition to the fleet stock is a major step ahead within the Navy’s ongoing functionality improve towards reaching a minimal credible protection posture and asserting higher effectivity within the execution of its mandated process, particularly with their deployment to very important choke factors, key sea traces of communication, and littoral areas of the nation the place terrorist teams and different lawless parts are working.
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The Philippine Navy Chief gave the marching order to the departing officers and crew “to all the time decide to what you may have sworn to do – to guard the nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.” BRP Nestor Acero (PG901) is beneath the command of Commander Harvey Lustre, whereas BRP Lolinato To-Ong (PG902) is skippered by Lieutenant Commander Ernan Benitez. This acquisition additionally represents a serious leap within the Self-Reliant Protection Posture (SRDP) Program of the nation because the deal includes the switch of expertise that enables the native manufacturing of three platforms on the PN shipyard in Naval Station Pascual Ledesma, Cavite Metropolis.
The Shaldag-class patrol boat (Kingfisher) is a small however quick class of patrol boats developed for the Israeli Navy and launched in 1989, it has since seen service with a number of different navies. The Shaldag class was conceptualized by Israel Shipyards in response to request from the Israeli Navy for a quick patrol boat to guard Israeli waters from terrorist threats. Designed for safety duties the place excessive intercept speeds are required, reminiscent of interdiction of terrorism and unlawful smuggling. Its salient options excessive pace in tough seas, with good seakeeping and excellent maneuverability, exceptionally low slamming in all sea states, dry decks in any respect speeds and really spacious and accessible inner association.
