AN Israeli shipbuilder has delivered two more fast attack interdiction craft (FAIC) to the Philippine Navy under the military’s ongoing modernization program, further boosting the country’s coastal defense capability.
Lt. Giovanni Badidles, spokesman of the Navy’s Philippine Fleet, said the vessel arrived last Saturday aboard the cargo ship Koga Royal.
Badidles said the two vessels are currently at the Commodore East Posadas Wharf in Cavite City and will undergo “mandatory enhancement, maintenance, and training.”
They will be later commissioned as Patrol Gunboats 906 and 907 and will be part of the Navy’s Acero-class patrol vessels of the Fleet’s Littoral Combat Force.
The two vessels are part of the nine FAICs ordered by the defense and military establishments from Israel Shipyards for P10 billion as part of the AFP modernization program.
The firm had earlier delivered four other FAICs as part of the agreement — two in September last year and two last April. The remaining three are due for delivery next year.
“Their delivery is part of the FAIC Acquisition Project of the Revised AFP Modernization Program Horizon 2 contracted with Israel Shipyards which includes a total of nine platforms, and the transfer of technology to bolster the PN’s shipbuilding capability,” said Badidles.
Badidles said the additional FAICs will further boost the Navy’s capability on coastal defense.
“It marks another milestone in the Fleet’s resolve of reinforcing the country’s littoral/coastal defense with modern fast patrol combat vessels that have proven to be highly reliable in addressing current and emerging threats, and transnational crimes,” said Badidles.
Navy chief Vice Adm. Toribio Adaci Jr. earlier said he wants 15 more FAICs, in addition to the seven being acquired from Israel Shipyards, to meet “our requirement for patrolling the seas of our country.”
Adaci said FAIC-Ms have “accurate, high-performance, and quick-intercept capabilities that are adequate for addressing current and emerging security threats,”, adding they are capable of hitting a target as far as 32 kilometers.
