Propmech MPAC Mk 3

[Ayoshi]

ADAS 2016: Propmech to deliver first MPAC Mk 3 to the Philippine Navy in mid-2017 | IHS Jane's 360 - 29 September 2016

Philippine marine systems supplier and shipbuilder Propmech has begun work on all Multi-Purpose Assault Craft (MPAC) vessels on order for the Philippine Navy (PN), and will begin deliveries in mid-2017, the company has confirmed.

[adroth]

After dealing with rumors for the better part of 10 years . . . the Spike missiles are coming.

SIPRI



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Israeli-made Spike missile to be used on Philippine helicopters
ByAnna Ahronheim
March 29, 2017 02:39

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As Israel continues its pivot toward Asia, Israeli-made Spike missiles are to be used by the Philippine Navy’s first two anti-submarine helicopters.

Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. produces the Spike, which was originally designed to destroy tanks.

It will be employed by the Philippine Navy as an anti-ship weapon on the Agusta Westland AW-159 Wildcats that are due to be delivered to Manila by next year.

According to Rafael, the Spike NLOS (non-line-of-sight) missile “is a perfect solution for naval helicopters,” with a range of 30 kilometers and a “dedicated warhead which can neutralize any target.”

The missile, capable of penetrating 39 inches of armor, can be operated in either direct attack mode or by mid-course navigation based on target coordinates only. These modes enable defeat of long-range hidden targets with pinpoint precision.

Philippine Navy spokesman Capt. Lued Lincuna was quoted by the Philippine News Agency on Tuesday as saying that “the missile has a built-in camera that allows it to be operated day or night” and allows pilots to engage hostile targets beyond their visual range.

Rafael will also be providing the shorter-range Spike ER missiles, weighing 33 kg with a range of 8 km, which will be used on the navy’s multi-purpose attack craft (MPAC ).

The Philippine Navy is currently operating six MPAC s, but none is armed with the missile system.

Two new MPAC s, which are being built in a joint venture between Filipino Propmech Corporation and Taiwan’s Lung Teh Shipbuilding Co. and set for delivery by the end of 2017, will have mountings for Spike missiles.

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[Sinagtala]

First photos of MPAC Mk 3 #488 from Maxdefense.






http://maxdefense.blogspot.com/2017/04/first-photos-of-philippine-navys-new.html

[adroth]

From a long time Timawan / DefensePH member:

MK3 is scheduled today for acceptance trial for first unit. 2nd and 3rd unit is for shipment hopefully in time for Navy day.

[adroth]

From the forum's FB extension. C/o Anvil @ Timawa/DefensePH

https://www.facebook.com/groups/rpdefense/permalink/1317337555018755/

[Manokski]

These are the functional replacements for the PCF series of patrol craft. 
MPACs/troop transports in name only. 

[LionFlyer]

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/989775

Commissioned 22 May.

MANILA, May 22 — The country's first three multi-purpose attack craft (MPAC), with provisions for missile armament, was formally turned over and commissioned into the Philippine Fleet during short ceremonies at the Naval Base Heracleo Alano, Sangley Point, Cavite City Monday.

These MPACs are the Mark III models and are considerably more advance that the six Mark I and IIs currently in the inventory.

Capt. Lued Lincuna, Philippine Navy (PN) spokesperson, said the MPACs, which has the hull number BA-488, BA-489, and BA-491, were all commissioned and quickly send-off to Davao City by Philippine Fleet commander Rear Admiral Gaudencio Collado after ceremonies at the Capt. Moya Boat Landing around 8 a.m. Monday.

These boats will be participate in the 119th founding anniversary of the PN which will be held in May 31 at Sasa Wharf, Davao City, he added.

The PN spokesperson said that the MPACs will form the 3rd Boat Attack Division of the Philippine Fleet's Littoral Combat Force.

These MPACs were constructed by Subic Bay-based Propmech Corporation.

They will be armed with the Israel's Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd's Spike ER (extended range) in anti-ship mode.

It is capable of penetrating 1,000 mm (39 inches) of rolled homogeneous armor and has a maximum range of five miles.

PN flag-officer-in-command Vice Admiral Ronald Joseph Mercado said installations of the missile systems will follow shortly.

"(The MPACs) are only the platforms; installation of the missiles will follow," he said to the PNA.

These three MPACs are worth PHP270 million which was sourced from the Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Act Trust Fund of 2000.

The contract includes mission essential equipment.

Mission essential equipment includes day/night electronic navigation systems, communication suites, safety-of-life-at-sea, propulsion system and seamanship and ship-handling gears. (Priam F. Nepomuceno/PNA)

[Juramentado]

Interesting that the aft Spike Launchers will combine ER and NLOS (although no NLOS rounds have been purchased). At least there's some commonality with the AW-159s in the future. For now, the PN budget can barely sustain sending out a full load of ERs on each MPAC once installed, but typical of the barely-there budget. Hopefully more missiles to be stocked in the future.

[adroth]

From: https://www.facebook.com/sunstardavaonews/photos/a.716755768378759.1073741828.716461365074866/1362010293853300/?type=3&theater

FULL STOP. Multipurpose Patrol Attack Craft of the Philippine Navy performs a full stop after reaching its top speed of 45 knots while President Rodrigo Duterte watches the exhibition on board the BRP Davao Del Sur Wednesday afternoon during the 119th Anniversary of the Philippine Navy held at Sasa Wharf. MACKY LIM

[Kylyne]

Just a question Sirs, if the PN would like to have more of these MPAK MKIII, will it go for another bidding process, or the PN can have them build more without the bidding?

[adroth]

Just a question Sirs, if the PN would like to have more of these MPAK MKIII, will it go for another bidding process, or the PN can have them build more without the bidding?

Good question.

Unless the President wants to stick his political neck out and shoot for a government-to-government deal in favor of Propmech . . . yes, they will have to go for another bid. AFAIK, the only way around that would be for the DND-AFP to commit to purchase the 30+ remaining boats in the MPAC requirement as part of a single project.

[adroth]

AFP modernization goes full throttle
ByPTV NewsPosted on December 29, 2017

https://www.ptvnews.ph/afp-modernization-goes-full-throttle/
   
MANILA — The modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is gaining momentum as contracts for new aircraft, weapons and platforms were signed while other items were delivered this year.

< Edited >

Aside from the SSV, the Navy also took delivery of three additional multi-purpose attack craft (MPAC) last May 22.

This raises the number of MPACs in PN inventory to nine. However, these naval craft are not your average MPACs as these vessels have provisions for the Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd’s Spike ER (extended range) missile systems, making them the first Filipino warships to be armed with these weapons.

Contract for the three ships is worth PHP270 million. The weapons are on anti-ship mode meaning it can engage surface vessel targets. It is capable of penetrating 1,000 mm (39 inches) of rolled homogeneous armor and has a maximum range of five miles.

< Edited >

[Ayoshi]

http://defenseph.net/drp/index.php?topic=2309.msg12787#new

A model of the MPAC Mk III on display at the 2018 Kaohsiung International Maritime and Defence exhibition. Source: IHS Markit/Ridzwan Rahmat