Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems announced that they has been awarded a contract worth approximately $80 million to supply a comprehensive naval warfare systems suite for Shaldag MK V fast patrol boats, made by Israel Shipyards, to an undisclosed country in Southeast Asia. The contract will be executed over the course of three years. No further details were provided about the contract, but the warfare systems suite is likely to equip the eight Shaldag Mk Vs ordered earlier this year by the Philippine Navy (PN), which on 14 May revealed it was expecting to receive the first three of these boats from Israel Shipyards in the first quarter of 2022.
Rafael will supply its client with the advanced suite that includes a combat management system, Typhoon and Mini-Typhoon remote operating weapon systems, naval Spike missiles, Sea-Com internal communication system and BNET tactical data link, as well as other components with full maintenance and support services, according to the company. The Shaldag MK V fast patrol boats is expected to replace the force of patrol killer medium (PKM) or medium-sized patrol craft. For the Philippine Navy, the Four of the patrol boat will also be armed with Spike non-light-of-sight (NLOS) missiles that have a range of 25 km.
The Naval SPIKE-NLOS is an ultra long-range version of the weapon (Israeli designation: Tamuz), with a claimed maximum range of 25 kilometres (16 miles) with pinpoint accuracy, providing sea-to-shore fire support or sea-to-sea targeting, on a wide range of naval platforms. The SPIKE-NLOS missile is integrated into the naval Typhoon MLS NLOS system. Allowing maximum operational flexibility, the Naval SPIKE NLOS capabilities include real-time tactical intelligence gathering, in-flight target switching and mission abort, and can be integrated with the ship’s own C2 systems.
The Shaldag-class is a small fast class of patrol boats developed by Israel Shipyards Limited (ISL) for the Israeli Navy and launched in 1989, it has since seen service with several other navies. It has an overall length of 25.30 m. The SHALDAG is most valued for security tasks where high intercept speeds and easy maneuverability are required. In addition, the vessel is equipped with highly advanced weapons systems, produced by world-recognized Israeli designers. The Shaldag-class fast patrol boat can be armed with a 25mm automatic gun mounted at the front deck, as well as 12.7mm or 7.62mm machine guns.
