THE Philippines’ first-ever surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) have been delivered to the Navy by European missile manufacturer BDA Missile Systems based in France, Navy chief Vice Adm. Adeluis Bordado said yesterday.
He said the SAMs were delivered last Friday at the Subic Bay International Airport in Bataan and will be used by the Navy’s two modern warships, BRP Jose Rizal and BRP Antonio Luna. He declined to say how many SAMs were acquired by the Navy for “security reasons.”
Bordado said SAMs are “game changers” in naval warfare. “This means we are doing well and we are becoming modern and multi-capable.”
Bordado said the acquisition of the SAMs was actually part of the frigate acquisition program, referring to the BRP Antonio Luna (FF150) and BRP Jose Rizal (FF151) which will be using the SAMs.
BRP Jose Rizal and BRP Antonio Luna were built by the South Korean Hyundai Heavy Industries under the AFP modernization program and delivered last year and this year.
The defense department has allocated P2 billion for the acquisition of SAMs and surface-to-surface missiles, which are expected to be delivered next year by South Korean firm LIG Nex 1.
