The Philippine Navy welcomes two more fast attack craft as construction commences on new patrol boats for the Royal Thai Navy and an anti-submarine frigate for the UK Royal Navy. The US Navy meanwhile places an order for an additional large-capacity berthing barge.
Philippine Navy receives two additional missile-capable attack boats
The Philippine Navy has taken delivery of two additional Nestor Acero-class missile-capable fast attack interdiction craft (FAIC) from Israel Shipyards.
The two FAICs are the third and fourth in the series, which are variants of the Shaldag Mark V class patrol boats. The first two vessels, BRP Nestor Acero and BRP Lolinato To-ong, were handed over to the navy in 2022.
Each vessel's armament will consist of a 30mm autocannon, two 12.7mm machine guns, 7.62mm general purpose machine guns, and Rafael Spike NLOS anti-ship missiles.
Delivery of the five remaining Acero-class FAICs is scheduled to be completed by 2024.
Construction starts on UK Royal Navy's fourth Type 26 frigate
BAE Systems has begun construction on the future HMS Birmingham, the fourth Type 26 frigate slated for the UK Royal Navy.
As with other Type 26 ships, the future Birmingham will be designed for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and air defence but can quickly be adapted to transport significant volumes of humanitarian aid and to house medical facilities.
Three other Type 26 ships are already under construction at BAE System's Glasgow facilities. They will replace the Royal Navy's Type 23 frigates in the ASW role.
Keels laid for 15 new coastal patrol boats for Royal Thai Navy
Thai shipbuilder Marsun recently laid the keels of 15 new high-speed boats slated for the Royal Thai Navy.
The vessels will be used primarily for patrols but will also have disaster response and search and rescue capability. The design will allow for operations in both coastal and inland waters.
All 15 boats will be operated by the Thailand Maritime Enforcement Coordinating Centre, a department under the Royal Thai Navy.
US Navy orders APL(S) berthing barge
The US Navy has awarded Bollinger Shipyards of Louisiana a contract for the detail design and construction of a sixth Auxiliary Personnel Lighter–Small (APL(S)) 67 class berthing and messing barge.
Once completed, the 269-foot (82-metre) barge will be able to berth up to 72 officers and 537 enlisted personnel. Mess seating will be available for 224 enlisted personnel, 28 chief petty officers (CPOs), and 28 officers in 20-minute intervals, allowing food service for 1,176 personnel with three meals a day.
The vessel will be used to house duty crews while ships are in maintenance availabilities, and can be towed to new bases or shipyards to support changing fleet requirements. Additionally, it can potentially be used for humanitarian missions and other temporary assignments.
Construction is scheduled to begin in the second quarter of 2023.
