The Philippine Navy’s guided-missile frigate, BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150), has successfully conducted its inaugural test firing of two MBDA Mistral 3 surface-to-air missiles (SAM).
The live-fire test occurred off the coast of San Antonio, Zambales, reported The Philippine News Agency (PNA).
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During the missile launch, the frigate targeted and engaged two uncrewed aerial vehicles provided by the Pacific Multi-Domain Training and Experimentation Capability and Threat Systems Management Office under the US Indo-Pacific Command.
Both targets were successfully neutralised by the ship’s missile system, according to the newswire service.
The event was overseen by Naval Task Force commander and Offshore Combat Force head commodore Raul Regis, who was present on the frigate to conduct the scenario-based test firing.
The Philippine Navy (PN) was quoted by PNA as saying: “This historic firing which validated the effectiveness of a new capability for the PN and the entire Armed Forces of the Philippines was witnessed, in real-time, at the Philippine Fleet headquarters in Subic where fleet commander, rear admiral Joe Anthony Orbe, along with his unit commanders and staff, were monitoring and communicating with participating units through the aid of various command and control systems.”
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By GlobalDataThe Mistral 3 missile, developed by France’s MBDA, is a lightweight, “fire and forget” short-range air defence system that has been battle-tested.
Weighing no more than 20kg and measuring 1.88 metres in length including the launch motor, it enhances the Jose Rizal-class frigate’s armament with weaponry.
These advanced weapon systems are integral to modern defence strategies, contributing to airspace control, strategic deterrence, and maintaining peak operational readiness. The Fleet’s role in safeguarding national sovereignty and maritime interests is thereby reinforced, noted the PN.
This successful missile deployment underscores the Philippine Navy’s commitment to advancing its personnel, assets, and systems as part of its modernisation efforts.
In 2024, the defence budget of the Philippines is set at $4.1bn, with projections indicating a strong compound annual growth rate (CAGR) exceeding 6% for the period from 2025 to 2029, according to a GlobalData report.
The primary areas of expenditure within the Philippine defence market include military fixed-wing aircraft, naval vessels and surface combatants, missile and missile defence systems, submarines, and military rotorcraft, among other sectors.
BRP Jose Rizal frigate also participated in a simulated Integrated Air and Missile Defense drill alongside other units participating in “Balikatan” 2025 on 27 April.
The exercise received support from other Fleet capital assets, including the BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151), MUARS Flight Bravo’s Scan Eagle ISR UAS, missile gunboat BRP Albert Majini (PG-909), and coastal patrol vessel BRP Rafael Pargas (PG-379).
