Naval Forces Western Mindanao welcomed the Philippine Navy’s newly-commissioned BRP Nestor Acero (PG901) being deployed in the Western Mindanao Command Area of Responsibility. Captain Dwight Steven M Dulnoan PN(GSC) the Acting Commander NFWM rendered an Arrival Ceremony for PG901 and its crew at Ensign Majini Pier, Naval Station Romulo Espaldon on December 08, 2022. The activity was conducted following existing health protocols on the new normal. PG901, one of the two Acero-Class Patrol Gunboats of the Philippine Navy, the recent addition to its fleet of modern fast vessels, are brand new missile-capable Shaldag Mk. V Fast Attack Interdiction Craft Missile (FAIC-M).
The brand-new Acero-class Patrol Gunboats are the Shaldag Mark Five fast patrol crafts ordered from Israel Shipyards. These 32-meter, high-speed vessels are equipped with quick intercept ability, remote stabilized weapons, that are capable to deliver precision strikes against larger hostiles and high-value targets on land or sea. The first two vessels of the Acero-class Patrol Gunboat are named after both Philippine Marine Corps heroes and Medal for Valor recipients, the late Private First Class Nestor F. Acero, and the late First Lieutenant Lolinato G. To-ong.
Their addition to the fleet inventory is a significant step forward in the Navy’s ongoing capability upgrade toward achieving a minimum credible defense posture and asserting greater efficiency in the execution of its mandated task, especially with their deployment to vital choke points, key sea lines of communication, and littoral areas of the country where terrorist groups and other lawless elements are operating. This acquisition also represents a major leap in the Self-Reliant Defense Posture (SRDP) Program of the country as the deal involves the transfer of technology that allows the local manufacturing at the PN shipyard in Naval Station Pascual Ledesma, Cavite City.
The Shaldag-class patrol boat (Kingfisher) is a small but fast class of patrol boats developed for the Israeli Navy and launched in 1989, it has since seen service with several other navies. The Shaldag class was conceptualized by Israel Shipyards in response to request from the Israeli Navy for a fast patrol boat to protect Israeli waters from terrorist threats. Its salient features high speed in rough seas, with good seakeeping and outstanding maneuverability, exceptionally low slamming in all sea states, dry decks at all speeds and very spacious and accessible internal arrangement.
