Navy test-fires first Spike-ER missile

The Philippine Navy successfully tested on Thursday its first Spike-ER surface-to-surface missile on board the MultiPurpose Attack Craft (MPAC) MKIII during the Sea Acceptance Test (SAT) off Lamao Point in Limay, Bataan.

Commander Jonathan V. Zata, Director of the Naval Public Affairs Office, said the Philippine Navy, together with teams from Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. (RAFAEL) and the Technical Inspection and Acceptance Committee (TIAC) of the Department of National Defense (DND), oversaw the test-firing activity that included the SAT for the Mini Typhoon Machine Gun System (MGS) and SAT for the Spike-Extended Range (ER) Missile Launching System (MLS).

He said the activity is necessary to test, inspect and accept the weapons and its systems in accordance with the contract for the final acceptance of the system.

Zata said the Flag Officer-In-Command of the Philippine Navy, Vice Admiral Robert A. Empedrad, together with other senior Navy officers and DND Defense Acquisition Office representatives were on board an MPAC where they witnessed the historic missile live fire testing.

A Spike-ER missile was fired and accurately hit the designated target, approximately 6 kilometers away from the firing platform.

"The target was hit dead center even if the sea state condition was moderately rough with wave of at least 1 meter high but within the normal firing conditions of the missile," he said.

The Philippine Navy MPAC Acquisition Project entered into a contract with RAFAEL, through SIBAT of Israel Ministry of Defense (IMOD), for the supply and integration of the Weapons Systems to MPAC MKIII platforms.

Another actual live firing demonstration of the Spike ER missile to be witnessed by President Duterte will also be scheduled.