Acero-class gunboat

Last updated
BRP Nestor Acero 1.jpg
BRP Nestor Acero (PG-901), an Acero-class patrol gunboat.
Class overview
Builders Israel Shipyards Ltd., Haifa, Israel
OperatorsFlag of the Philippines.svg  Philippine Navy
Built2021–2023
In commission2022–present
Planned9
Building1
Completed8
Active6
General characteristics
Type Patrol gunboat
Displacement95 tons full load [1]
Length32.65 m (107 ft 1 in) [2]
Beam6.2 m (20 ft 4 in) max [2]
Draft1.25 m (4 ft 1 in) [1]
Propulsion
  • 2 × MTU 16V 4000 M70 diesel engines
  • 2 x MJP-J650 waterjets
Speedgreater than 40 knots (74 km/h) maximum
Range1,000 nmi (1,900 km) at 15 knots (28 km/h)
Complement12 [2]
Sensors and
processing systems
  • Furuno Navnet 3D X-band navigation/surface search radar [2]
  • Rafael Toplite electro-optical tracking system (EOTS) [3]
Armament
  • 1 x Rafael Typhoon MLS-NLOS missile launcher for 8 x Spike-NLOS surface-to-surface missiles (4 ships only)
  • 1 × Mk.44 Bushmaster II autocannon mounted on Rafael Typhoon Mk 30-C remote-controlled weapon station
  • 2 × M2HB Browning 12.7 mm/50 cal. heavy machine guns mounted on Rafael Mini Typhoon remote-controlled weapon stations
  • 2 × M60 7.62 mm/30 cal. GP machine guns

The Acero class is a class of patrol gunboats based on the Israel Shaldag V design that are in service with the Philippine Navy.

Contents

History

In 2019, the Philippine Navy raised a requirement to procure a new class of Fast Attack Interdiction Craft (FAIC) that would be missile-capable and are based on Israel's Shaldag V patrol boat design, to replace the Tomas Batilo-class fast attack crafts that have been retired in service. [4] [5]

Israel Shipyards Ltd. had offered the Shaldag V design to the Philippine Navy as early as 2016. [6] Funding to pursue the proposal was not available until a few years afterwards. [4]

The Israeli design was proven to be more capable as an interdiction craft than the smaller Multi-Purpose Attack Craft that were originally designed by a Taiwanese shipbuilder as a troop insertion assault boat, and modified in Philippine Navy service to be used as a small missile boat. Thus, when the Philippine Navy raised the requirement for a fast attack interdiction craft, the Philippines' Department of National Defense (DND) made a decision to procure them based on the Israeli proposal, and would be acquired under a Government-to-Government (G2G) deal with Israel. [4] [7]

A contract was signed between the (DND), Israel Shipyards Ltd. and Israeli Ministry of Defense in February 2021, with the Notice to Proceed to start the effectivity of the contract released in April 2021. [4] [8]

The first boat of the class, the BRP Nestor Acero (PG-901), was launched in June 2022, and became the basis for the class' name. [9] The hull number's use of "PG" indicates that the boats are classified as Patrol Gunboats based on Philippine Navy's 2016 naming classification standards.

In November 2022, Rear Admiral Toribio Acaci indicated that the service plans to acquire a total of 15 more Acero-class / Shaldag Mk. V patrol gunboats in the near future. [4] [10] [11]

Two more Acero-class gunboats were delivered on 11 April 2023, [3] christened on 8 May 2023. [12] [13] and commissioned on 26 May 2023. [14]

The Philippine Navy's Naval Sea Systems Command announced the revival of their naval shipbuilding capability with the reopening of the Naval Shipbuilding Center, previously called the Cavite Naval Yard, which was refurbished and retooled as part Israel Shipyard's contract to supply fast attack interdiction crafts to the Philippine Navy. The new facility will take over production of the remaining units of the Acero class (Shaldag Mk. V) that were ordered by the DND under the FAIC-M Acquisition Project, and will likely do so for any future orders. [15]

On 12 April 2024, a field test was conducted where a Spike missile was fired in the waters of Mariveles, Bataan. [16]

On 8 May 2024, BRP Lawrence Narag participated in the maritime strike exercise of Balikatan 2024, which consisted of a sinking exercises (SINKEX) using the decommissioned BRP Lake Caliraya as a target ship. The Lawrence Narag fired a Spike-NLOS missile and successfully hit the target during the exercise. [17] On 18 June, Lawrence Narag was assigned to Naval Forces Western Mindanao and deployed to Zamboanga City. [18]

Technical details

The BRP Herminigildo Yurong testing the Spike NLOS system. PG-906 Spike NLOS.jpg
The BRP Herminigildo Yurong testing the Spike NLOS system.

The ship class is designed to carry one bow-mounted Mk.44 Bushmaster II autocannon mounted on Rafael Typhoon Mk 30-C remote-controlled weapon station, and two M2HB Browning 12.7 mm/50-caliber heavy machine guns mounted on Rafael Mini Typhoon remote-controlled weapon stations.

At least four of the ships will be installed with a Rafael Typhoon MLS-NLOS missile launcher for Spike-NLOS surface-to-surface missiles. All other boats are fitted for, but not with the system, and can be installed separately at any time.

A 5.2-meter rigid inflatable boat (RHIB) is stowed in the aft for those without the missile system, and is deployed using a 1,000-kilogram crane. [1]

Ships in class

Bow numberShip nameLaunchedDeliveredCommissionedServiceStatusNotes
PG-901 BRP Nestor Acero 26 June 20226 September 202228 November 2022 [19] Littoral Combat Force, Philippine FleetActive
PG-902 BRP Lolinato To-Ong 26 June 20226 September 202228 November 2022 [19] Littoral Combat Force, Philippine FleetActive
PG-903 BRP Gener Tinangag 11 April 2023 [20] 26 May 2023 [14] Littoral Combat Force, Philippine FleetActive
PG-905 BRP Domingo Deluana 11 April 2023 [20] 26 May 2023 [14] Littoral Combat Force, Philippine FleetActive
PG-906 BRP Herminigildo Yurong [21] 18 November 2023 [22] 21 May 2024 [23] Littoral Combat Force, Philippine FleetActiveArmed with Spike-NLOS
PG-907 BRP Laurence Narag [21] 18 November 2023 [22] 21 May 2024 [23] Littoral Combat Force, Philippine FleetActiveArmed with Spike-NLOS
PG-908BRP Tomas Campo [24] 17 September 2024 [25] Littoral Combat Force, Philippine FleetActiveArmed with Spike-NLOS
PG-909BRP Albert Majini [26] 17 September 2024 [25] Littoral Combat Force, Philippine FleetActiveArmed with Spike-NLOS
PG-910On-going construction at Naval Shipbuilding Center CaviteArmed with Spike-NLOS

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Philippine Navy</span> Naval warfare branch of the Armed Forces of the Philippines

The Philippine Navy (PN) is the naval warfare service branch of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. It has an estimated strength of 24,500 active service personnel, including the 10,300-strong Philippine Marine Corps. It operates 90 combat vessels, 16 auxiliary vessels, 25 manned aircraft and 8 unmanned aerial vehicles. Tracing its roots from the Philippine Revolutionary Navy on May 20, 1898, while its modern foundations were created during the creation of the Offshore Patrol on February 9, 1939, the PN is currently responsible for naval warfare operations and maritime patrol missions within the Philippine Waters, as well as ensuring the protection of the Philippine's maritime interests, including the South China Sea and Benham Rise.

<i>Cyclone</i>-class patrol ship US Navy small coastal defense vessel

The Cyclone-class patrol ships are a class of coastal patrol boats, formerly in service with the United States Navy. Most of these ships, named for weather phenomenae, were launched between 1992 and 1994. The primary mission of these ships is coastal patrol and interdiction surveillance, an important aspect of littoral operations outlined in the Navy's strategy, "Forward...From the Sea." These ships also provided full mission support for U.S. Navy SEALs and other special operations forces. Several ships of the class were transferred to the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) for a time and then later returned.

Shaldag-class patrol boat Class of patrol boats of Israeli Navy

The Shaldag-class patrol boat is a small but fast class of patrol boats developed for the Israeli Navy and launched in 1989, it has since seen service with several other navies.

BRP <i>Liberato Picar</i>

BRP Liberato Picar (PC-377) is the seventh ship of the Jose Andrada class coastal patrol boats of the Philippine Navy. It is part of the first batch of its class ordered through US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) in 1990, and was commissioned with the Philippine Navy in January 1992. It was initially designated as Fast Patrol Craft, and was numbered "DF-377", but later on was re-designated as Patrol Gunboat "PG-377". Another round of reclassification was made in April 2016, which redesignated the patrol gunboat as the coastal patrol craft PC-377.

BRP Nestor Reinoso (PC-380) is the tenth ship of the Jose Andrada class coastal patrol boats of the Philippine Navy. It is part of the second batch of its class ordered through US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) in 1993, and was commissioned with the Philippine Navy on 1 June 1995.

BRP Dioscoro Papa (PC-381) is the eleventh ship of the Jose Andrada class coastal patrol boats of the Philippine Navy. It is part of the second batch of its class ordered through US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) in 1993, and was commissioned with the Philippine Navy on 1 June 1995.

Multipurpose Assault Craft Fast attack assault

The Multi-Purpose Assault Craft (MPAC) is a type of fast attack assault craft developed for the Philippine Navy. Originally designed to transport troops at a high speed and then land them on the beach, they have since expanded their roles to include interdiction, surface warfare, and search and rescue.

BRP <i>Andrés Bonifacio</i> (PS-17) Philippine Navy patrol ship

BRP Andrés Bonifacio (PS-17) is the third ship of the Gregorio del Pilar-class offshore patrol vessels of the Philippine Navy. She is the second ship of the Philippine Navy to be named after Andrés Bonifacio, a Filipino revolutionary leader, regarded as the "Father of the Philippine Revolution" and one of the most influential national heroes of the Philippines.

<i>Jose Rizal</i>-class frigate Guided missile frigates in service with the Philippines Navy

The Jose Rizal class of multi-role guided missile frigates, currently in service with the Philippine Navy, are a heavily modified variant of the Republic of Korea Navy's Incheon-class frigates. The ships, which were built by Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI), are specifically accommodated to fit the requirements of the Philippine Navy. The introduction of the frigates improved the capabilities of the Philippine Navy's Offshore Combat Force, which that mostly composed of ships that were retired from other countries and subsequently transferred to the Philippines.

BRP <i>Conrado Yap</i> (PS-30) Philippine Navy corvette

BRP Conrado Yap (PS-30) is a Pohang-class corvette currently commissioned with the Philippine Navy. She is the service' first modern corvette and one of its most heavily armed units. She was originally named ROKS Chungju (PCC-762) during her service with the Republic of Korea Navy.

BRP <i>Jose Rizal</i> Flagship of the Philippine Navy

BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150) is the lead ship of her class of guided missile frigates of the Philippine Navy. She is the first purpose-built frigate of the service, as its previous major warships were mostly obtained from retired patrol ships of other countries. She is also one of the navy's primary warships able to conduct multi-role operations, such as coastal patrol, anti-air and anti-submarine warfare.

BRP <i>Antonio Luna</i> (FF-151) Philippine Navy frigate

BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151) is the second ship of the Jose Rizal class of guided missile frigates in service with the Philippine Navy. She is able to conduct multi-role operations such anti-surface warfare (ASUW), anti-submarine warfare (ASW), and limited anti-air warfare (AAW). She is one of the service's primary warships until the introduction of new and more powerful contemporaries.

BRP <i>Nestor Acero</i>

BRP Nestor Acero (PG-901) is lead ship of the Acero-class patrol gunboats of the Philippine Navy. She was commissioned with the Philippine Navy on 28 November 2022 and is currently in active service with the Littoral Combat Force, Philippine Fleet.

BRP <i>Lolinato To-ong</i>

BRP Lolinato To-ong (PG-902) is second ship of the class of the Acero-class patrol gunboat of the Philippine Navy. She was commissioned with the Philippine Navy on 28 November 2022 and is currently in active service with the Littoral Combat Force, Philippine Fleet.

BRP <i>Gener Tinangag</i>

BRP Gener Tinangag (PG-903) is third ship of the class of the Acero-class patrol gunboat of the Philippine Navy. She was commissioned during the 125th Philippine Navy Anniversary on May 26, 2023.

BRP <i>Domingo Deluana</i> Acero-class patrol gunboat in the Philippine Navy

BRP Domingo Deluana (PG-905) is fourth ship of the class of the Acero-class patrol gunboat of the Philippine Navy. She was commissioned during the 125th Philippine Navy Anniversary on May 26, 2023.

BRP <i>Herminigildo Yurong</i> Acero-class patrol gunboat in the Philippine Navy

BRP Herminigildo Yurong (PG-906) is the fifth ship of the Acero-class patrol gunboat of the Philippine Navy. She was commissioned on 21 May 2024, just before the Philippine Navy's 126th Anniversary.

BRP <i>Laurence Narag</i> Acero-class patrol gunboat in the Philippine Navy

BRP Laurence Narag (PG-907) is the sixth ship of the Acero-class patrol gunboat of the Philippine Navy. She was commissioned on 21 May 2024, just before the Philippine Navy's 126th Anniversary.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Legien, Wolfgang (2011). "Shaldag Fast Patrol Craft" (PDF). Naval Forces IV. Retrieved 2022-12-23.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Vessel Review Nester Acero – Philippine Navy Welcomes Missile-Capable Attack Boats Into Service". Baird Maritime. 2022-10-17. Retrieved 2022-12-23.
  3. 1 2 "Israel delivers two new Acero class patrol gunboats to Philippines". 13 April 2023.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 "Fast Attack Interdiction Craft - Missile (FAIC-M) Acquisition Project of the Philippine Navy". Philippine Defense Resource. 2019-06-19. Retrieved 2022-12-23.
  5. ↑ "Philippine Navy commissions two Shaldag Mk V attack craft". IMDEX Asia. 27 December 2022. Archived from the original on 2023-08-03. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  6. ↑ "Knowing the Shaldag-class Patrol Boats". Pitz Defense Analysis. 4 July 2019. Archived from the original on 25 March 2023. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  7. ↑ "Navy gets 2 brand new patrol craft". Manila Standard. 2022-09-06. Archived from the original on 2024-09-27. Retrieved 2023-05-09.
  8. ↑ "Israel Shipyards Launches First Two Fast Patrol Craft for Philippine Navy". Naval News. 29 June 2022. Archived from the original on 4 August 2023. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
  9. ↑ "Israeli-made missile boats to help defend PH littoral zones | Philippine News Agency". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
  10. ↑ "PH Navy eyes 15 more Israeli-made missile boats". Philippine News Agency. 2022-11-28. Archived from the original on 2022-11-29. Retrieved 2022-12-23.
  11. ↑ "Navy eyes 15 more Israeli missile craft". Manila Standard . 28 November 2022. Archived from the original on 7 December 2022. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  12. ↑ Nepomuceno, Priam (8 May 2023). "PH Navy christens 2 newly-acquired Israeli missile boats". Philippine News Agency. Archived from the original on 8 May 2023. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  13. ↑ "Philippine Navy christens two new gunboats, inaugurates shipyard". GMA News. 8 May 2023. Archived from the original on 8 May 2023. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  14. 1 2 3 Sadongdong, Martin (26 May 2023). "PH Navy commissions 2 new patrol gunboats". Manila Bulletin. Archived from the original on 4 August 2023. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
  15. ↑ Casayuran, Mario (8 May 2023). "Zubiri leads blessing of new navy gunboats, shipbuilding center in Cavite". Manila Bulletin. Archived from the original on 23 May 2024. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
  16. ↑ Nepomuceno, Priam (12 April 2024). "PH Navy test-fires new non-line of sight missile system". Philippine News Agency. Archived from the original on 16 April 2024. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
  17. ↑ Dava, Bianca (8 May 2024). "Balikatan 2024: PH, US forces sink 'made in China' ship off Ilocos Norte". ABS-CBN News. Archived from the original on 23 May 2024. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
  18. ↑ Naval Forces Western Mindanao. "NFWM Welcomes its Newest Missile-Equipped Patrol Gunboat". Facebook. Archived from the original on 27 September 2024. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  19. 1 2 Sadongdong, Martin (28 November 2022). "Navy commissions 2 new patrol gunboats". Manila Bulletin. Archived from the original on 9 May 2023. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
  20. 1 2 "Two More Interceptors Delivered To Philippine Navy". Naval News. 14 April 2023. Archived from the original on 8 May 2023. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  21. 1 2 Montero, Max (19 November 2023). "Delivery of 2 more Shaldag Mk V FAICs". MaxDefense Philippines. Retrieved 21 November 2023.
  22. 1 2 Nepomuceno, Priam (19 November 2023). "PH receives 2 more gunboats from Israel". Philippine News Agency. Archived from the original on 19 November 2023. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
  23. 1 2 Nepomuceno, Priam (May 22, 2024). "Navy commissions 2 more Israeli-made missile boats". Philippine News Agency. Archived from the original on May 23, 2024. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
  24. ↑ "7th Acero-class Patrol Vessel Named "BRP Tomas Campo (PG908)"". Pitz Defense Updates. 8 November 2024. Retrieved 8 November 2024.
  25. 1 2 Nepomuceno, Priam (23 September 2024). "PH gets 2 more Israeli-made missile boats". Philippine News Agency. Archived from the original on 23 September 2024. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
  26. ↑ Montero, Max (7 November 2024). "PG-909 is future BRP Albert Majini". Facebook. MaxDefense Philippines. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.