By 23 Mei 2017
Three brand new MPAC (photo : Tankler)
MANILA – The country’s first three multi-purpose attack craft (MPAC), with provisions for missile armament, was formally turned over and commissioned into the Philippine Fleet during short ceremonies at the Naval Base Heracleo Alano, Sangley Point, Cavite City Monday.
These MPACs are the Mark III models and are considerably more advance that the six Mark I and IIs currently in the inventory.
Capt. Lued Lincuna, Philippine Navy (PN) spokesperson, said the MPACs, which has the hull number BA-488, BA-489, and BA-491, were all commissioned and quickly send-off to Davao City by Philippine Fleet commander Rear Admiral Gaudencio Collado after ceremonies at the Capt. Moya Boat Landing around 8 a.m. Monday.
These boats will be participate in the 119th founding anniversary of the PN which will be held in May 31 at Sasa Wharf, Davao City, he added.
The PN spokesperson said that the MPACs will form the 3rd Boat Attack Division of the Philippine Fleet’s Littoral Combat Force.
These MPACs were constructed by Subic Bay-based Propmech Corporation.
They will be armed with the Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd’s Spike ER (extended range) in anti-ship mode.
It is capable of penetrating 1,000 mm (39 inches) of rolled homogeneous armor and has a maximum range of five miles.
PN flag-officer-in-command Vice Admiral Ronald Joseph Mercado said installations of the missile systems will follow shortly.
“(The MPACs) are only the platforms; installation of the missiles will follow,” he said to the PNA.
These three MPACs are worth PHP270 million which was sourced from the Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Act Trust Fund of 2000.
The contract includes mission essential equipment.
Mission essential equipment includes day/night electronic navigation systems, communication suites, safety-of-life-at-sea, propulsion system and seamanship and ship-handling gears.
(PNA)
