Philippines Navy commissions 2 new Israeli built Acero class patrol gunboats.

According to information published by Philippine News Agency on May 22, 2024, the Philippine Navy (PN) has officially commissioned two additional fast attack interdiction craft (FAIC) equipped with advanced Spike NLOS (non-line of sight) missile systems.
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Acero class patrol gunboat BRP Herminigildo Yurong. (Picture source: Philippine MoD)

The commissioning ceremony for these new vessels, BRP Herminigildo Yurong (PG-906) and BRP Laurence Narag (PG-907), took place at the Naval Station Jose Andrada on Roxas Boulevard, Manila. The PN received the two gunboats from Israel Shipyards Ltd. on November 18, 2023.

PN chief Vice Admiral Toribio Adaci Jr. highlighted the strategic importance of these crafts, stating that they are indispensable assets for archipelagic defense. Designed to address the unique challenges of the Philippine maritime landscape, these vessels enable rapid deployment and force projection, strengthen deterrence, and uphold maritime security across Philippine waters.

With the addition of BRP Herminigildo Yurong and BRP Laurence Narag, the PN now operates six Acero-class gunboats. The first two, BRP Nestor Acero (PG-901) and BRP Lolinato To-Ong (PG-902), were delivered in September 2022 and commissioned two months later. The third and fourth FAICs, BRP Gener Tinangag (PG-903) and BRP Domingo Deluana (PG-905), were delivered in April 2023 and commissioned in May.

The PN anticipates the construction and delivery of the remaining three Acero-class gunboats within the next two years. Four of the ships will be equipped with NLOS missiles with pinpoint accuracy and a range of 25 kilometers, while the other five will be armed with Typhoon-mounted 30mm main cannons and .50 caliber heavy machine guns.

Technical data

The Acero class patrol gunboats have a full load displacement of 95 tons. Measuring 32.65 meters in length, they have a beam of 6.2 meters and a draft of 1.25 meters. These vessels are powered by two MTU 16V 4000 M70 diesel engines, coupled with two MJP-J650 waterjets.

This propulsion system allows them to achieve speeds exceeding 40 knots. When traveling at 15 knots, they have a range of 1,000 nautical miles. The crew complement for these gunboats is 12.