The Philippines is set to enhance its naval capabilities with the planned acquisition of 10 additional Acero-class patrol gunboats. This initiative is part of a larger defense modernization effort that aims to bolster the Philippine Armed Forces. Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner announced that if these new vessels are secured, they will expand the navy’s fast attack interdiction fleet from the current total of 9 to 19.
The upcoming fleet will mirror the sixth to tenth vessels currently in service, each equipped with advanced Spike non-line-of-sight (NLOS) precision-guided missiles developed by the Israeli defense firm Rafael. This integration of modern weaponry indicates a commitment to enhancing the operational efficiency of the naval fleet.
Reports from Naval News suggest that the terms of acquisition may follow the precedent set by a previous contract between the Philippine government and Israel Shipyards Ltd., the company responsible for constructing the earlier Acero models. Notably, this arrangement may facilitate a transfer of technology, enabling the Philippine Navy to locally assemble and maintain these new vessels at their base in Cavite.
The Acero-class vessels are modeled after the Israeli Navy’s Shaldag V patrol boat design. The Shaldag MK V features a length of 32.65 meters (107 feet) and clocks speeds exceeding 40 knots, cementing its status as a formidable addition to the naval forces. The decision to utilize these patrol gunboats was originally declared in 2019, marking a pivotal shift to modernize the fleet by phasing out the outdated Tomas Batilo-class ships which had been operational since 1996.
As of 2022, the Philippine Navy welcomed its first two Acero vessels into service. The most recent delivery from this program was achieved in 2024, with the ninth and final ship from the initial Acero contract currently under construction in Cavite.
The specifications of an Acero gunboat are impressive, measuring 33 meters (108 feet) in length with a 6-meter (20 feet) beam. Each ship can accommodate up to 12 personnel and is armed with advanced remote-controlled weapon systems including a Bushmaster II autocannon, Browning heavy machine guns, and M60 machine guns. The vessel is equipped with twin Marine Jet Power water jets and dual MTU 16V 4000 M70 diesel engines, allowing it to reach speeds surpassing 40 knots (approximately 74 kilometers or 46 miles per hour) and cover a range of 1,000 nautical miles (1,852 kilometers or 1,151 miles).
The planned commissioning of PG-906 and PG-907 is expected to significantly enhance the maritime capabilities of the Philippine Navy, underlining the strategic importance of cooperative technology and shipbuilding agreements in the country’s defense framework.
