Philippines receives 5th and 6th Shaldag Mk. V missile attack crafts

 

The delivery of 2 new Shaldag Mk. V attack crafts. Photo c/o Philippine Navy.

The Philippine Navy (PN) has received the delivery of the fifth and sixth Shaldag Mk. V fast attack interdiction crafts from Israel Shipyards Ltd. last 19 November 2023.

The two fast crafts arrived via a commercial cargo vessel that brought them from Israel, and are reported to be in the Philippine Navy’s naval base in Cavite for its post-delivery inspections, as well as further enhancement, testing and personnel training before they are commissioned.

The two crafts are part of a PHP10 billion (US$208.4 million) Government-to-Government deal between the Philippines Department of National Defense and Israel’s Ministry of Defense, with Israel Shipyards Ltd. assigned to undertake the project.

So far, 4 crafts have already been delivered and are in service with the Philippine Navy’ Littoral Combat Force and collectively known as the Acero-class.

Based on the photos, the two crafts are equipped with the Rafael Typhoon RCWS with 30mm chain gun, two Mini Typhoon RCWS with 12.7mm heavy machine guns, and a Typhoon MLS-NLOS missile launcher for the Spike NLOS short-range surface-to-surface missile.

According to Philippine defense page MaxDefense Philippines, the boats are expected to be named as the BRP Herminigildo Yurong (PG-906) and BRP Laurence Narag (PG-907), and could be commissioned with the Philippine Navy before the end of the year.

Three more Shaldag Mk. V fast attack interdiction crafts are still scheduled for delivery, but are expected to be constructed locally by the Philippine Navy’s Naval Yard in Cavite City in partnership with Israel Shipyards under a technology transfer agreement as part of the procurement deal. 

The naval yard recently opened a newly upgraded facility that is capable of building the Shaldag Mk. V boats, as well as other small crafts.

[1] MaxDefense Philippines

[2] Philippine News Agency

[3] Philippine Defense Resource