Israeli yard launches two fast attack craft for Philippine Navy

Israel Shipyards (ISL) has launched two new fast attack interdiction craft (FAIC) that the company will supply to the Philippine Navy.

The craft are variants of the Shaldag Mark V patrol vessels being operated by the Israeli Navy. A total of nine FAICs will be supplied to the Philippines for operation in littoral and EEZ waters.

One of the boats will be named BRP Lolinato To-ong after a Philippine Marine Corps officer who was posthumously awarded the Medal for Valor, the Philippine military’s highest combat decoration, for actions during counterinsurgency operations on Mindanao island in April 2000.