Defense capability, mas palalakasin ng surface-to-air missile system – PBBM

MANILA, Philippines – “The latest acquisition of the game-changing surface-to-air missile system by the Philippine Navy (PN) will further boost its warfare capabilities.”

Ito ang inihayag ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. matapos na saksihan ang SAM capability demonstration habang sakay ng  BRP Davao del Sur (LD 602) sa San Antonio, Zambales.

Ikinatuwa ng Pangulo ang patuloy na pagsisikap ng PN na maisip ang mandato nito.

“I am very happy to be able to join the brave men and women of our Philippine Navy on this important day as we conduct our test fire, our country’s first surface-to-air missile system, the Mistral 3, and the other weapon systems that we have seen demonstrated here this morning,” ayon kay Pangulong Marcos.

“With the fluid security situation in our region, it is imperative that the Armed Forces of the Philippines and of course the Navy is substantially equipped, trained, and always on alert to respond to any and all exigencies that may confront our nation. It is for this prime reason that we exert a continuous effort to strengthen the capacity of our Armed Forces,” dagdag na pahayag ng Pangulo.

Sinabi ng Pangulo na ipagpapatuloy ng kanyang administrasyon ang kahalintulad na naval exercises habang tinatapos ng pamahalaan at sa kalaunan ay kinokomisyon o ginagawa ang natitirang proyekto.

“We are now working on horizon three of the AFP modernization program. As we do so, let us likewise ensure parallel training and capacity building for our personnel, especially for those who would actually operate and maneuver these major naval assets and with the backing of their highly technical training,” tinukoy ng Pangulo.

“I urge the entire rank of the Philippine Navy to keep up the good work continually guided by the national interest and the democratic ideals of the Republic of the Philippines,” dagdag na wika nito.

Kabilang sa mga opisyal na sinaksihan ang event ay sina Senior Defense Undersecretary Carlito Galvez Jr., House Speaker Martin Romualdez, Armed Forces chief Gen. Andres Centino, at PN Flag Officer in Command Vice Admiral Toribio Adaci, pinangunahan ang PN officers at enlisted personnel.

“SAM capability demonstration was among the major events leading to its 125th anniversary celebration on May 20,” ayon sa PN.

Sa isinagawang  live-fire demonstration, countermeasure ng BRP Antonio Luna, ang Bullfighter chaff decoy, ay ipinakita habang nagsasagawa ng demonstrasyon.

“The Mistral 3 SAMs have 90-millimeter high-explosive warheads, range of more than 3 nautical miles and speed of 2.7 Mach. They are among the primary weapons of the Jose Rizal-class multi-mission capable frigates that bolster their defensive capability against hostile aircraft,” ayon sa ulat.

“These weapons have been acquired through the PN Frigate Acquisition Project Lot 2B awarded to MBDA missile systems based in France with a budget of around Php670 million,” ayon pa rin sa ulat. Kris Jose