Philippines finalizes order for naval weapon systems from Israel's Rafael for upcoming new fast attack crafts

 

A Spike NLOS missile launched from the Typhoon MLS-NLOS missile launcher during tests. Photo c/o Rafael Advanced Defense Systems.


Israeli defense company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Co. Ltd. (Rafael) has announced that it secured a contract worth almost US$80 million for the supply a comprehensive naval warfare systems suite for a navy of an undisclosed country in Southeast Asia.

The equipment are to be installed on Shaldag V fast attack crafts being built by Israel Shipyards for the Southeast Asian country, and will be completed within 3 years.

The contract includes the supply of Combat Management Systems (CMS), Typhoon and Mini Typhoon remote operating weapon systems (RCWS), Naval Spike missiles, Sea-Com Internal Communications Systems, and BNet tactical data link, plus other components and full maintenance and support services.

Philippine defense page MaxDefense Philippines confirmed that the naval warfare systems from Rafael are actually for the Philippine Navy (PN), which has a contract with Israel Shipyards for the supply of nine Shaldag V fast attack crafts, and also awarded a contract to Rafael for the combat systems.

It says that Rafael was declared the winning supplier, with an offer worth US$79.38 million for the Philippine Navy's Fast Attack Interdiction Craft - Missile Capable Lot 2 Weapon Systems project.

Rafael received the Notice of Award on January 2021, while Israel Shipyards also took a separate project lot worth US$127.9 million to supply 8 Shaldag V fast attack crafts, as well as technology transfer to allow local production of the boat at the Philippine Navy's shipyard. An extra boat was said to have been included by Israel Shipyards in the deal.

It is expected that all boats would be equipped with one Typhoon RCWS with 30mm Bushmaster II gun, and two Mini Typhoon RCWS with 12.7mm heavy machine guns. At least 4 of the boats will also have the Spike MLS-NLOS missile launcher with Spike NLOS missiles.

Rafael's Spike NLOS surface-to-surface missile will provide the Shaldag V boats with extended precision capabilities, and is capable of destroying small fast moving boats, shore targets like bunkers and armored vehicles, and damage larger ships.

The Philippine Navy already operates the Mini Typhoon RCWS mounts and Typhoon MLS-ER with the shorter ranged Spike-ER missiles on 3 of their Multi-Purpose Attack Crafts (MPAC), while Rafael is also under contract to supply similar weapon systems to 3 more MPACs





[1] Rafael Advanced Defense Systems 
[2] Philippine Defense Resource
[3] Jane's

Philippines finalizes order for naval weapon systems from Israel's Rafael for upcoming new fast attack crafts Philippines finalizes order for naval weapon systems from Israel's Rafael for upcoming new fast attack crafts Reviewed by Asia Pacific Defense Journal on September 02, 2021 Rating: 5

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