Multi-Purpose Attack Craft (Batch 3) Lots 1 and 2 Acquisition Project of the Philippine Navy

The Philippine Navy has embarked on the acquisition of a third batch of three (3) Multi-Purpose Attack Crafts (MPAC) to improve the capability of the Littoral Combat Force in securing coastal / littoral waters of the country.

The Multi-Purpose Attack Craft (Batch 3) Acquisition Project was among those proposed for acquisition as part of the Horizon 1 Priority Projects under the Revised AFP Modernization Program approved in 2013.

The project will involve only the acquisition of platforms (the boats itself), while other components will be funded separately.

The MPAC Mk. III after delivery to the Philippine Navy. Photo provided to MaxDefense by a source.

Project Summary:

Multi-Purpose Attack Craft (Batch 3) Lot 1 - Platform Acquisition Project

Note: Edited as of 10 February 2026.

* End User: Philippine Navy (Littoral Combat Force)

* Quantity: 3 nos.

* Modernization Phase: Horizon 1 Priority Projects of RAFPMP

* Project ABC: Php270,000,000.00

* Acquisition Mode: Public Bidding 

* Source of Funding: GAA Funds through AFP Modernization Program Trust Fund

* SARO Release: SARO-BMB-D-16-0000170 dated 21 January 2016 worth Php864,320,000.00 (includes full amount of project)

* Winning Proponent: Joint Venture of Propmech Corporation (Philippines) and Lung Teh Shipbuilding (Taiwan)

* Product for Delivery: Lung Teh Multi-Purpose Attack Craft Mk. III

* Contract Price: Php268,880,000.00

* Residual Amount: Php1,120,000.00

* First post by MaxDefense: To follow

* Searching Hashtag: #PNMPACBatch3Acquisition

* Status: Delivery completed as of July 2017, commissioned into the Philippine Navy on thereafter. PROJECT COMPLETED.

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Multi-Purpose Attack Craft (Batch 3) Lot 2 - Weapons and Ammunition Acquisition Project

Note: Edited as of 10 February 2026.

* End User: Philippine Navy (Littoral Combat Force)

* Quantity: 3 sets

* Modernization Phase: Horizon 1 Priority Projects of RAFPMP

* Project ABC: Php594,320,000.00

* Acquisition Mode: Negotiated Procurement - Government-to-Government (G2G) with Israel Ministry of Defense.

* Source of Funding: GAA Funds through AFP Modernization Program Trust Fund

* SARO Release: SARO-BMB-D-16-0000170 dated 21 January 2016 worth Php864,320,000.00 (includes full amount of project)

* Winning Proponent: Rafael Advanced Systems Ltd.

* Product for Delivery: Rafael Typhoon MLS-ER missile launchers, Spike-ER missiles, Mini Typhoon RCWS mounts

* Contract Price: Php594,320,000.00

* Residual Amount: Php0.00

* First post by MaxDefense: To follow

* Searching Hashtag: #PNMPACBatch3Acquisition

* Status: Delivery completed on April 2018, with sea acceptance tests done after installation on MPAC Mk. IIIs on 09 August 2018. PROJECT COMPLETED.

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Overview:

The Philippine Navy has seen the value of the Multi-Purpose Attack Craft (MPAC), after having several units delivered from earlier acquisitions. The MPACs are used as assault boats for special operations units of the Philippine Navy like the Naval Special Operation Group (NAVSOG) and Marine Special Operations Group (MARSOG), allowing for quick insertion and extraction while providing fire support from its machine guns.

Due to lack of assets, the Philippine Navy also used the MPAC as fast interceptors along the busy waters of Western Mindanao. But it was found that the boats were lacking in firepower in this mission.

Further planning by the PN suggested that the Littoral Combat Force may use the MPAC as a platform for "swarm tactics" against a larger naval force, by attacking larger warships in groups and using missiles to do damage.

As part of Horizon 1 phase Priority Projects, the Philippine Navy tendered for a up-armed MPAC variant, which was later won by the Joint Venture of Propmech Corporation - Lung Teh Shipbuilding>

This resulted to what was called the MPAC Mk. III after making changes to the previous MPAC Mk. II and incorporating the need to install the Rafael Typhoon Spike-ER Multiple Launching System (MLS) and Rafael Mini Typhoon 12.7mm remote controlled weapon stations (RCWS).

This would make the MPAC MK. III the first surface vessels of the Philippine Navy to be actually armed with missiles, with the Spike-ER acting as a small short-range surface-to-surface missile.

This resulted in reduced space for assault troops, which were used to provide space for weapon controllers and computers.

Delivery of the boats are expected to be made by July 2016.

The MPAC Mk. III have the following specifications: 

* Length: at least 17 meters long
* Displacement: less than 30 tons (without the weapon systems)
* Maximum Speed: at least 45 knots
* Range: at least 300nmi at transit speed
* Propulsion: 2 diesel engines coupled to water jet system
* Complement: 2 officers and 5 crew members, plus 8 fully equipped troops.
* As-delivered Standard Weapons: 2 M60 7.62mm light machine guns (supplied by the Philippine Navy) in addition to those to be delivered separately under the MPAC Combat Systems and Capability Upgrade Lot 1 project.


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U P D A T E S:
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25 February 2016:

The Multi-Purpose Attack Craft (MPAC) Mk. 3 Lot 1 acquisition project for the Philippine Navy has been awarded to a joint venture of Propmech Corp. Philippines and Lung Teh Shipbuilding Corp. of Taiwan for Php 268,880,000.00 for 3 boats.

Propmech and Lung Teh were also involved in the development and successful delivery of MPAC Mk.1 & Mk.2 boats to the PN.

NOA photo credits to PhilGEPS.

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30 April 2016:

An artwork of the MPAC Mk. III was shared at the Timawa defense page.

It shows what appears to be the Spike-ER launcher behind the bridge structure, while the Rafael Mini Typhoon RCWS mount can be found above the bridge. A manually-operated 7.62mm light machine gun mount can also be seen just behind the mast.

Credits to Timawa.net for the photo.

An illustration of the missile-equipped MPAC Mk. 3. Photo taken from the old Timawa.net defense forum.

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28 September 2016:

A report from Shephard Media confirms that Rafael has not only got a contract from the Philippine Navy to supply Typhoon RCWS Spike-ER for the MPAC Mk.3, but also for air-launched Spike-NLOS for the AgustaWestland AW-159 Wildcat anti-submarine warfare helicopters. 

The report also confirmed the previous posts MaxDefense made that Rafael offered the Derby BVRAAM, Litening family of targeting pods, Spice precision guided munitions, and others for the FA-50, and also air defense solutions, which is actually the SPyDer short-medium range surface-to-air missile system.

Rafael is at ADAS 2016, and can be found at Stand 1110.

Shephard Media is the official Show Daily Media Publisher & Media Partner, while MaxDefense is an official Media Partner for ADAS 2016. Photo taken from ADAS 2016 Day 1 Show Daily. 

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19 May 2017:

Turns out that the latest Multi-Purpose Attack Crafts (MPAC) for the Philippine Navy, known as the MPAC Mk.3, are all almost completed, with only minor works remaining. Seen here are 

BA-488 and BA-491, while BA-489 is not shown. The MPACs are displayed as part of the Navy's 

"Run for the Navy 2" programme tomorrow. The Spike ER launcher and Mini Typhoon RCWS will be available only by October 2017 if everything goes according to schedule.

Also appearing are BRP Rajah Humabon (PS-11) and an AW-109E naval helicopter. Thanks to one of MaxDefense Philippines' contributors, who wish to remain anonymous, for the photo.

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21 May 2017:

MaxDefense finally received confirmation that the Philippine Navy will formally receive the 3 brand new Multi-Purpose Attack Craft (MPAC) Mk. 3 from Propmech Corporation by tomorrow, 22nd May 2017, and will be commissioned into service with the Littoral Combat Force of the Philippine Fleet.

Afterwards, all three new boats (BA-488, BA-489, and BA-491) will head to Davao City. Will tell you all why tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Rafael confirmed to MaxDefense that the delivery of weapons for the MPAC Mk. 3, specifically the Mini Typhoon RCWS for 50-calibre MGs and Typhoon MLS-ER launchers, as well as Spike-ER surface-to-surface missiles will be made as early as October 2017 if no problems will come up.

In the meantime, here are photos of all three new MPAC Mk. 3 together at Sangley Point Naval Base, taken today. Credit to one of MDP contributors who wish to remain anonymous. 

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A model of the MPAC Mk. III as displayed by Lung Teh Shipbuilding in the Kaohsiung International Maritime and Defense Exhibition 2018. Photo credit to IHS Markit, taken from Jane's Navy International.

With all three boats ships delivered and commissioned to the Philippine Navy as of 2017, MaxDefense believes we can now consider the Multi-Purpose Attack Craft (Batch 3) Acquisition Project of the Philippine Navy as COMPLETED.

All other upgrade works (ie. missile system installation) are covered by a different contract and project, and will be discussed separately.

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 First edit and release: 10 February 2026
Copyright MaxDefense Philippines / Philippine Defense Resource