By Priam Nepomuceno / Philippine News Agency
The Philippine Navy (PN) on Sunday (Oct. 10) said the Mistral 3 surface-to-air-missiles (SAMs) for the country’s two guided-missile frigates were delivered to the Subic Bay International Airport in Bataan on Oct. 8.
In a statement, Navy Spokesperson Lt. Commander Benjo Negranza said the surface-to-air missiles of the two Jose Rizal-class (JRC) frigates of the PN will provide the BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150) and BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151) anti-air capabilities or the ability to shoot down aerial threats.
The procurement and delivery of the Mistral 3 SAMs are part of the PN Frigate Acquisition Project Lot 2B which was awarded to MBDA Missile Systems based in France.
“Surface-to-air missiles are among the primary weapons of FF-150 and FF-151 that bolster the PN’s anti-air warfare capability. The arrival of these missiles will greatly capacitate our JRC frigates in the conduct of their maritime operations,” Negranza said.
Meanwhile, PN Frigate Acquisition Lot 2A for the JRC’s surface-to-surface missiles is scheduled for delivery in March 2022.
South Korean defense manufacturer LIG Nex 1 is the company that will deliver C-Star missiles which are considered the main surface-to-surface weapon of the JRCs.
The C-Star is described as a “sea-skimming surface-to-surface anti-ship cruise missile.”
The BRP Jose Rizal and BRP Antonio Luna are modern warships capable of surface, sub-surface, air, and electronic warfare using state-of-the-art electronic sensors, long-range missiles, acoustic guided torpedoes, and an embarked anti-submarine helicopter.
The BRP Jose Rizal was delivered to the Philippines in May 2020 and commissioned July of the same year, while the BRP Antonio Luna was commissioned March 19, 2021.
The contract for the two ships was placed at P16 billion with another P2 billion for weapon systems and munitions. (PNA) – jlo
