TSAMTO, February 16. The Philippine agency PNA, with reference to the country's Defense Minister Delphine Lorenzana, reported on the expected delivery in the near future of the first two of the nine high-speed missile interceptor boats FAIC-M (Shaldag Mk.5 class) ordered by Israel Shipyards Ltd.
In addition, the Philippine Navy plans to complete the modernization project of three Gregorio del Pilar-class patrol ships by the end of the year.
As reported by TSAMTO, the Philippine Navy initially planned to deliver 8 new Shaldag-class Mk.5 speedboats developed by Israel Shipyards.
On January 4, 2021, the Ministry of Defense of the Philippines sent notifications to the Israeli Ministry of Defense and Israeli companies Israel Shipyards and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems about the acceptance of their proposals for the supply of FAIC-M interceptor boats. The value of the contract with Israel Shipyards for the supply of boats and modernization of the Cavite Naval Shipyard is $127.9 million ($6.162 billion). pesos), and with Rafael for the supply of weapons and missile systems – 79.38 million dollars (3,819 philippe. pesos).
The contract for the supply of FAIC-M was concluded on February 9, 2021, and the notification of the start of work was signed by the Minister of Defense Delfin Lorenzana on April 27, 2021.
According to the statement of the commander of the Philippine Navy, Vice Admiral Giovanni Carlo Bacordo, negotiations with the Israeli company allowed to increase the order to 9 Shaldag boats without additional payment.
Rafael Advanced Defense Systems announced the conclusion of a contract worth about $ 80 million for the supply of weapons systems for the Shaldag Mk.5 class boats of the Philippine Navy on September 1, 2021. The contract, which must be completed within three years, provides for the supply of combat control systems (CMS), Typhoon and Mini-Typhoon, Naval Spike NLOS (Non-Line of Sight) missiles, other equipment and services. As reported, four FAIC-M boats will be armed with NLOS missiles, and the rest with machine-gun weapons.
