Philippines Commissions Israel-made Acero-class Patrol Gunboats

The Philippine Navy (PN) has formally commissioned two more Israel-made fast attack interdiction craft (FAIC), also known as Acero-class patrol gunboats, equipped with the Spike NLOS (non-line of sight) missile systems.

The commissioning rites for the new vessels, named BRP Herminigildo Yurong (PG-906) and BRP Laurence Narag (PG-907), were held at the Naval Station Jose Andrada, Roxas Boulevard, Manila on May 21, PN spokesperson Commander John Percie Alcos said.

The PN received the two gunboats from Israel Shipyards Ltd. on Nov. 18, 2023.

"These crafts are indispensable assets for archipelagic defense, tailored to address unique challenges inherent to the Philippine maritime landscape. As force multipliers, these craft enable rapid deployment and force projection, strengthen our deterrence, and uphold maritime security across Philippine waters," PN chief Vice Admiral Toribio Adaci Jr. said during the commissioning rites.

He also said the acquisition of these missile-capable craft, also called the Acero-class patrol gunboats, would greatly accelerate the ongoing modernization efforts of the Navy.

The vessels were named after two Medal of Valor awardees, the late Marine Staff Sgt. Herminigildo Yurong and Marine Cpl. Laurence Narag, who perished in the line of duty during the Philippine government's campaign against Moro rebels in Mindanao in 2000.

The PN now has six Acero-class gunboats in service.

The first two Acero-class gunboats, the 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, the BRP Gener Tinangag (PG-903) and BRP Domingo Deluana (PG-905), were delivered in April 2023 and commissioned the following month.

The remaining three Acero-class gunboats are expected to be constructed and delivered within the next two years.

Four of the ships will be armed with NLOS missiles with pinpoint accuracy and a range of 25 km. while the other five will be armed with Typhoon-mounted 30mm main cannons and .50 caliber heavy machine guns.