A Philippine Navy team has carried out an inspection of the new fast attack interdiction craft missile (FAIC-M) ships during sea trials in Israel.
The trials comprised functional testing of various systems of the boats and were conducted from 27 to 30 June.
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During testing, two FAIC missiles including Mini-Typhoon machine gun system and Typhoon 30mm automatic cannon were launched from the vessels.
The demonstration involved testing the redundancy controls of the two missiles from open pilot house.
It also included sea trials of the vessels’ rigid-hull inflatable boat (RHIB).
In a statement, Philippine Navy spokesperson commander Benjo Negranza said: “The inspection held from 27 to 30 June 2022 included the functional testing of all mission-critical machineries, navigation and communications equipment, and live firing of its combat systems.”
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By GlobalDataFollowing the completion of inspection, a joint certification of compliance for the shipment of two FAICs to the Philippines was also signed.
Delivery of the vessels is expected in the middle of third quarter of this year.
Negranza added: “The acquisition of the new crafts is the latest in the Philippine Navy’s pursuit to become a modern and multi-capable naval force, responsible for protecting our maritime nation’s sovereignty.”
The latest move comes after the first two FAIC missiles were launched by the Israel Shipyards in Haifa on 26 June.
The Philippine Navy’s PHP10bn ($181.7m) FAIC-M project includes acquisition of eight vessels.
The project was approved in 2019 under the Horizon II list of the revised Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) modernisation programme.
Out of the eight vessels, four will be equipped with non-line-of-sight missiles with pinpoint precision and a range of 25km, while the other four will have machine guns and light automatic cannons.
