The Philippine Navy’s recently acquired first-ever missiles, seen to boost the country’s maritime deterrent, will be operational in three months’ time.
Navy Flag-Officer-in-Command Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad told reporters that they are studying the doctrine and possible deployments of the multi-purpose attack craft (MPAC), where the missiles would be installed.
“We are still studying the doctrine, where to deploy the MPAC we already acquired…This will be made operational in two to three months’ time,” he told reporters on the sidelines of a maritime symposium in Manila.
The Spike ER missiles from Israel were delivered to the Philippines last month. It has a maximum range of eight kilometers.
“It’s a good system. It has a pinpoint accuracy of hitting whatever target it wants to destroy. It’s a new capability of the Navy and this is our first missile capability; kailangan talaga pag-aralan namin kung (we really need to study) how to operate and where to deploy our ships,” Empedrad said.
The Navy chief said they are still studying where to deploy the gunboats fitted with missiles, but cited areas like Palawan and Zamboanga.
“It can be for anti-insurgency or territorial defense. Syempre pag-iisipan muna, ayaw naman natin paputukin ang P10-million ammo sa small banca (Of course we will still study it, we don’t want to use the P10-million ammo on a small boat),” he said.
“I’m sure ma-threaten ang enemies that ply our maritime waters. This will be used to secure the choke points or what we call the sea lines of communication of our maritime nation,” he added. /je