By Francis Wakefield
Department of National Defense (DND) Spokesman Director Arsenio Andolong on Wednesday confirmed that the missile systems for the Philippine Navy's Multi-Purpose Attack Craft (MPAC) have arrived in the country.
In an interview, Andolong said the missile systems which was delivered during the third week of April, are now undergoing Integration Phase under the guidance of the proponent, Rafael of Israel.
DND Spokesman Director Arsenio Andolong
(AP / MANILA BULLETIN) Rafael of Israel, it was recalled, has extensive experience in developing and manufacturing some of the most advanced air and missile defense systems in the world. Its wide range of missiles for air, land and sea applications includes anti-armor/multi-purpose missiles for short to extended ranges, active-radar and full-sphere IR air-to-air missiles with short-to-beyond visual range, as well as missile targets for TBMs. "The missile-equipped MPACs will greatly enhance the Navy's capability to secure our littoral areas against terrorism and in support of maritime law enforcement operations," Andolong said. Andolong, however, said that he is not privy to the cost of the missile systems. A ranking military official also confirmed that the Philippine Navy has already received its first-ever missile system from Israeli weapons manufacturer Rafael Advanced Defense Systems some two weeks ago. The official, who requested not to be identified, said the missile system is just the initial three Multi-Purpose Attack Craft (MPAC). "This is just the initial three MPAC that will have missile firing capability but the Philippine Navy will hve more ships that will have missile firing capability in the near future," the source said. Another senior Navy official source who requested anonymity said that having missile systems will give the Philippines "a much-needed punch" in dealing with surface threats regardless if these are small or large ships. "It will be a deterrent already because this time you have a credible armament or a deterrent that can strike a punch, whether the target is a small boat or large ship," the source explained. He said this is the first time that the country will have missile capability. As a naval officer, the source said having a missile defense system will make the Philippine Navy more credible. "It (also) makes the Armed Forces credible, it means we are more credible now in patrolling our AOR (area of responsibility)," he said. The source added that there will be more Navy ships that will have missile firing capability in the near future.
DND Spokesman Director Arsenio Andolong(AP / MANILA BULLETIN) Rafael of Israel, it was recalled, has extensive experience in developing and manufacturing some of the most advanced air and missile defense systems in the world. Its wide range of missiles for air, land and sea applications includes anti-armor/multi-purpose missiles for short to extended ranges, active-radar and full-sphere IR air-to-air missiles with short-to-beyond visual range, as well as missile targets for TBMs. "The missile-equipped MPACs will greatly enhance the Navy's capability to secure our littoral areas against terrorism and in support of maritime law enforcement operations," Andolong said. Andolong, however, said that he is not privy to the cost of the missile systems. A ranking military official also confirmed that the Philippine Navy has already received its first-ever missile system from Israeli weapons manufacturer Rafael Advanced Defense Systems some two weeks ago. The official, who requested not to be identified, said the missile system is just the initial three Multi-Purpose Attack Craft (MPAC). "This is just the initial three MPAC that will have missile firing capability but the Philippine Navy will hve more ships that will have missile firing capability in the near future," the source said. Another senior Navy official source who requested anonymity said that having missile systems will give the Philippines "a much-needed punch" in dealing with surface threats regardless if these are small or large ships. "It will be a deterrent already because this time you have a credible armament or a deterrent that can strike a punch, whether the target is a small boat or large ship," the source explained. He said this is the first time that the country will have missile capability. As a naval officer, the source said having a missile defense system will make the Philippine Navy more credible. "It (also) makes the Armed Forces credible, it means we are more credible now in patrolling our AOR (area of responsibility)," he said. The source added that there will be more Navy ships that will have missile firing capability in the near future.