Page 9 - ADAS 2024 - DAY 3

Philippine Navy Receives Two Additional

Acero-Class Patrol Vessels

The Philippine Fleet (PF) announced on operations, featuring advanced missile Herminigildo Yurong and Marine Corporal
Monday the delivery of two additional systems and sophisticated onboard tech- Laurence Narag, who lost their lives
fast attack interdiction craft (FAIC), also nology, which enhances the PN’s capabili- during the Philippine government’s cam-
known as Acero-class patrol vessels, ty to conduct rapid and effective maritime paign against Moro rebels in Mindanao
to the country. The vessels arrived at interdiction operations.” He added that in 2000.
Pier 15 of the Manila South Harbor on the arrival of these vessels highlights the
September 17. ongoing modernisation of the PN and is The first two Acero-class gunboats,
a significant step towards strengthening BRP Nestor Acero (PG-901) and BRP
PF spokesperson Lieutenant Giovanni Manila’s Self-Reliant Defense Posture Lolinato To-Ong (PG-902), were deliv-
Badidles confirmed the delivery, stating, (SRDP) programme. ered in September 2022 and were com-
“These two FAICs, to be designated with missioned two months later. The third
bow numbers PG-908 and PG-909, will Earlier this year, on May 22, the PN for- and fourth FAICs, BRP Gener Tinangag
be the seventh and the eighth fast boats mally commissioned its fifth and sixth (PG-903) and BRP Domingo Deluana
under the Acero-class patrol vessels.” FAICs, named BRP Herminigildo Yurong (PG-905), were delivered in April 2023
Following the commissioning of these (PG-906) and BRP Laurence Narag (PG- and commissioned the following month.
new vessels, the total number of FAICs in 907). Both of these vessels are equipped
the Philippine Navy (PN) will increase to with Spike NLOS (non-line of sight) mis-
eight, with one more still to be delivered sile systems. The PN received the two Among the nine vessels, four will be
by contractor Israeli Shipyards Ltd. gunboats from Israel Shipyards Ltd. on equipped with NLOS missiles that have
November 18, 2023. pinpoint accuracy and a range of 25 km,
According to Badidles, “Similar to their while the remaining five will be fitted with
predecessors, the newly delivered plat- The vessels honour two Medal of Valor Typhoon-mounted 30mm main cannons
forms are designed for high-speed awardees, the late Marine Staff Sergeant and .50 calibre heavy machine guns.

Turkish Aerospace Anka-III, an Exportable High-End UCAV

Turkish Aerospace, manufacturer of the Anka-III Unmanned
Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV), is confident about the export
prospects of the stealthy deep-strike system in the region.
Speaking to Daily News at the ongoing show, company officials
stated that Anka-III would not not face any export clearance
challenges as it features only technologies developed in Turkey.
Currently, the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) is the only op-
erator of Turkish Aerospace UAVs in the region with the Anka.
A total of three Anka-III prototypes will be built and the design
and development is progressing well. The Anka-III UCAV can
carry a payload of 1.2 tonne and can carry two weapons in its
internal weapons bay. It is powered by an indigenously developed
Turkish turbofan engine, which allows it to operate at 40,000
feet, reach a speed of Mach 0.7, and stay airborne for up to
10 hours. Building on the Turkish airframer’s deep engineering
expertise and over 250,000 hours of flight experience gained
with Anka and Aksungur, the Anka-III Unmanned Combat Aerial
Vehicle will be a vital addition to Turkish Aerospace’s family of
unmanned aerial vehicles.

ASIAN DEFENCE & SECURITY (ADAS) 2024 SEPTEMBER-27-2024 9