The Philippine Navy announced on Tuesday that it would commission two fast attack interdiction craft (FAIC) equipped with the Israeli-made Spike NLOS (non-line of sight) missiles this March.
“The newly-delivered FAICs, these are equipped with NLOS capabilities. [They will be commissioned] next month,” confirmed Philippine Navy spokesperson Commander John Percie Alcos in an interivew with the Philippine News Agency.
Asked if the ships will have the chance to test fire their weapons, Alcos said they have to check with the “TIAC (technical inspection and acceptance committee) team if a test firing will be conducted.”
The PN received the two FAICs, also known as the Acero-class gunboats from Israel on Nov. 18, 2023.
The gunboats were delivered through the general cargo ship Kogra Royal and are now at the Commodore East Posadas Wharf in Cavite City for enhancement, maintenance, and training.
The platforms will be commissioned as PG-906 and PG-907 under the Acero-class patrol vessels of the Fleet’s Littoral Combat Force.
Image - Reuters