MANILA — The Department of National Defense (DND) is looking into the possibility of arming the Navy’s multi-purpose attack craft (MPACs) with the Israeli-made Spike-ER surface-to-surface missiles.
“The idea is still under consideration,” DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong said Friday when asked about the feasibility of arming all operational MPACs with missiles to boost their capability.
Spike-ER missiles are capable of penetrating 1,000 mm. (39 inches) of rolled homogeneous armor and have a range of 8 km.
As of this posting, the Navy has nine MPACs in its inventory with another three units planned.
Three of these craft are being fitted with Spike-ER missiles and launchers.
These naval craft were activated on May 22, 2017 and were manufactured by Subic-based Propmech Corp. for PHP270 million.
The Spike-ER surface-to-surface missiles, along with their launchers, arrived third week of April.
After the installation, the Spike-ER missile systems will go through the Technical Inspection and Acceptance Committee, he added.
“The missile systems for the Navy’s MPACs have arrived in the country and are now undergoing Integration Phase under the guidance of the proponent, Rafael of Israel. 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 earlier said. (PNA)