By Priam Nepomuceno | Philippine News Agency
MANILA – Israel’s newly-appointed Ambassador to the Philippines Ilan Fluss paid an introductory courtesy call to Philippine Navy (PN) flag-officer-in-command Vice Adm. Adeluis Bordado on Monday (Nov. 8).
“The bilateral ties and strong defense and military partnership of the Philippines and Israel were among the highlights of the discussions during Ambassador Fluss’ courtesy call on the Navy chief,” PN spokesperson Commander Benjo Negranza said in a statement on Tuesday (Nov. 9).
He added that both sides discussed various maritime and defense security issues which were not elaborated.
“Today’s (Monday) courtesy call demonstrates the role that the PN plays in promoting the country’s diplomatic relations with other countries, which further aids in maintaining peace, stability, and cooperation among partner nations,” Negranza said.
The PN earlier said that it will be acquiring eight units of fast attack interdiction craft-missile (FAIC-M) from Israel under a government-to-government procurement scheme.
Negranza said the acquisition of eight units of FAIC-M is among the 2019 projects approved by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte under the Horizon 2 List of the Revised Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program.
“The first two units of the FAIC-M (are) estimated to arrive in-country around the last quarter of 2022,” he added.
He also said the FAIC-M project was awarded to Israel Shipyards Ltd. and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems of Israel under a government-to-government procurement scheme and is divided into two lots.
“Lot 1 covers the delivery of nine platforms, four of which will be missile-capable, and the upgrading of the Naval Shipyard (NSY) for the establishment of a local production line as part of the Transfer of Technology (ToT).
On the other hand, Lot 2 includes the integration of weapons and combat systems,” Negranza said.
The FAIC-Ms is expected to replace the force of patrol killer medium (PKM) or medium-sized patrol craft.
Once deliveries of the FAIC-Ms are completed, these vessels can interdict surface threats and launch non-line-of-sight missiles safely using the surrounding littoral areas as maneuver space and cover. (PNA) – bny
