Dateline Kamuning: The latest acquisition of the game-changing surface-to-air missile system by the Philippine Navy (PN) will further boost its warfare capabilities, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said last Friday. After witnessing the SAM capability demonstration aboard the BRP Davao del Sur (LD 602) in San Antonio, Zambales, the President was elated by the continuous effort of the PN to realize its mandate. “I am very happy to be able to join the brave men and women of our Philippine Navy on this important day as we conduct our test fire, our country’s first surface-to-air missile system, the Mistral 3, and the other weapon systems that we have seen demonstrated here this morning,” Marcos said. “With the fluid security situation in our region, it is imperative that the Armed Forces of the Philippines and of course the Navy is substantially equipped, trained, and always on alert to respond to any and all exigencies that may confront our nation. It is for this prime reason that ...

Dateline Kamuning The Philippine Navy (PN) is planning to acquire at least 15 more Israel-made Shaldag Mark V missile boats, which are the basis of its Acero-class patrol gunboats. "We are planning to get 15 additional 'Acero'-class gunboats (to augment the) nine (now on the pipeline)," Navy chief Rear Adm. Toribio Adaci Jr. told reporters on the sidelines of the commissioning and send-off ceremony for the fast attack interdiction craft missiles (FAIC-Ms) BRP Nestor Acero (PG-901) and BRP Lolinato To-Ong (PG-902). Adaci said the additional "Acero"-class gunboats would help them to meet their requirements in "patrolling the seas of the country". He also said the FAIC-Ms will be assigned to the Littoral Combat Force. He said four more FAIC-Ms, the other name of the "Acero" class in the PN service, will be delivered sometime in 2023. "I don't know the exact delivery dates next year but this shall be throughout (next ...