Israel delivers two new Acero class patrol gunboats to Philippines.

According to information published by Philippine News Agency on April 12, 2023, the Philippine Navy (PN) confirmed that two more brand-new fast attack interdiction-missile (FAIC-M) platforms were delivered to the country.
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Fast attack interdiction missile or FAIC-M. (Picture source: Israel Shipyards)

Set for christening in May, these FAIC-Ms will soon join the Acero-class patrol gunboats along with frontrunners BRP Nestor Acero (PG-901) and BRP Lolinato To-ong (PG-902) which were commissioned late last year. Five more are expected to be delivered within the next two years.

About the FAIC-Ms

The Acero-class patrol gunboat has a full load displacement of 95 tons, a length of 32.65 meters (107.1 feet), and a maximum beam of 6.2 meters (20 feet). It has a draft of 1.25 meters (4.1 feet).

The vessel is propelled by two MTU 16V 4000 M70 Diesel Engines and two MJP-J650 waterjets, allowing it to reach speeds greater than 40 knots (74 km/h) at maximum capacity. The vessel has a range of 1,000 nautical miles (1,900 km) at 15 knots (28 km/h). The Patrol Gunboat has a crew of 12 personnel.

The patrol gunboat is equipped with a Furuno Navnet 3D X-band navigation/surface search radar and a Rafael Toplite electro-optical tracking system (EOTS).

In terms of armament, the vessel is armed with a Rafael Typhoon MLS-NLOS missile launcher for 8 Spike-NLOS surface-to-surface missiles (limited to 4 ships only), one Mk.44 Bushmaster II autocannon mounted on a Rafael Typhoon Mk 30-C remote-controlled weapon station, two M2HB Browning 12.7 mm/50-cal. heavy machine guns mounted on Rafael Mini Typhoon remote-controlled weapon stations, and two M60 7.62 mm/30-cal. GP machine guns.