MANILA –The Philippine Navy (PN) will integrate the Rafael Advanced Defense Ltd. Spike-ER (extended range) surface-to-surface missile system on three more multi-purpose attack craft (MPAC) by the first quarter of 2021.

“The Spike-ER (missile system) will be integrated by the first quarter of 2021,” Navy public affairs office chief Lt. Commander Maria Christina Roxas said in a message to the Philippine News Agency Tuesday night when asked for updates on the modernization project.

Roxas also confirmed that the delivery of the weapon systems is scheduled for the last quarter of this year.

The three MPACs where the Spike-ER missile system will be fitted were activated on Sept. 23, 2019, bringing the number of these attack boats in PN service to 12.

At present, three of these MPACs are now armed with Spike-ER missiles.

The Spike-ER system, which arrived in the Philippines in April 2018, is the PN’s first missile weapon capable of penetrating 1,000-mm (39 inches) of rolled homogeneous armor and has a range of eight kilometers.

These MPACs are capable of running at speeds of 30 to 45 knots.