As the keynote speaker, Lt. General Bartolome Vicente Bacarro was there, as with his wife Soledad, who launched the ceremonial breaking of a sacrifice bottle of wine on the FAIC-Ms. He was joined by Vice Admiral Adeluis Bordado, Flag Officer in Command of the Navy, other AFP top officers, and relatives of the vessels’ namesakes.
Lt. Gen. Bacarro praised this milestone in the AFP modernization program, saying it “will strengthen our naval capability on littoral defense and maritime interdiction operations, as well as decisively advance our self-reliant defense posture program to bring our armed forces up to par with nations in the region.”
The first two Acero-class Patrol Gunboats are named after late Philippine Marine Corps heroes and Medal of Honor recipients, Private First Class Nestor F. Acero and First Lieutenant Lolinato G. To-ong.
Soon to be put into service BRP Nestor Acero (PG901) and BRP Lolinato To-ong (PG902) are among the nine Shaldag Mk V vessels contracted with Israel Shipyards Ltd for a total cost of ten billion pesos, including missile and weapon systems. Three more are scheduled to be delivered this year, with the remaining four units being built at the PN shipyard in Naval Station Pascual Ledesma, Cavite City.
These high-speed 32-meter vessels are outfitted with fast intercept capability, remote stabilized weaponry, and short-range missiles capable of delivering pinpoint strikes against larger hostiles and high-value targets on land or sea.
Vice Admiral Bordado emphasized that “[t]hese new FAIC-M vessels are designed to enhance the Navy’s capability in addressing threats within our unique archipelagic composition, while also protecting our maritime interests in a rapid and precise manner.”
The acquisition of these vessels represents a significant step forward in the Navy’s ongoing capability upgrade in order to attain a minimum credible defense posture and assert more efficiency in the performance of its authorized duty.
Source: Navalnews
