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.
Follow Navy Recognition on Google News at this link
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.
