Multi-purpose Attack Craft
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The Multi-Purpose Assault Craft (MPAC) is a type of fast attack assault craft developed for the Philippine Navy. Originally designed to transport troops at a high speed and then land them on the beach, they have since expanded their roles to include interdiction, surface warfare, and search and rescue. A total of 42 boats are planned to be built by the Navy of which 12 have been completed as of September 2019. The Mk 3 version of the MPAC are the first boats in the history of the Philippine Navy to be officially armed with missiles.


Design

The MPAC's hull is made out of aluminum alloy and is powered by water jet engines. It has a range of , a maximum speed of 40–47 knots, and carries a crew of 5–7 plus 8–16 fully equipped soldiers. The Mk 1 and Mk 2 can deploy an assault ramp at their bow while in later versions this feature was removed.


Construction

In 2009, the Philippine Navy ordered the first batch of three ships from Taiwanese company Lung Teh Shipbuilding Co. Ltd. These first three ships were commissioned into service during the Philippine Navy's 111th Anniversary on May 22, 2009. These boats are designated the ''Mk 1'' version. In 2011, an additional three MPACs were built that were slightly bigger than the previous three ships. These ships this time were built by the Filipino company Propmech Corp. Designated as ''Mk 2''. The first of these second batch of MPACs was commissioned into service during the Philippine Navy's 114th Anniversary on May 22, 2012. The next two ships were commissioned on August 6, 2012. In 2016, Propmech was again contracted to build another three ships for US$1.86 million (PHP 90 million) each and delivery was set for April 2017. The ships, designated as ''Mk 3'' versions, arrived without their armaments and were commissioned into service on May 22, 2017 as part of the Philippine Navy's ''Third Boat Attack Division'' of the Philippine Fleet's ''Littoral Combat Force''. The armaments for the Mk 3 were initially set to be delivered by December 2017, but were only actually delivered in May 2018. In September 2017, the
Department of National Defense Department of Defence or Department of Defense may refer to: Current departments of defence * Department of Defence (Australia) * Department of National Defence (Canada) * Department of Defence (Ireland) * Department of National Defense (Philippi ...
(DND) released a tender to procure an additional three MPAC vessels based on the Mk 3 platform which will be fourth batch. The budget is set at US$1.77 million (PHP 90 million) each for the hulls only, but these will be armed similarly as the Mk 3 version. In May 2018, the DND revealed that they are studying a plan to arm the Mk 1 and Mk 2 versions of the MPAC with the same Spike ER missiles that are used on the Mk 3 version. However this plan was changed by February 2020 as the Philippine Navy announced that the Mk 1 and Mk 2 versions will instead be armed only with the Mini Typhoon remote weapon station. At the 2018 Kaohsiung International Maritime and Defence exhibition, it was revealed that the 4th batch would be the same design as the prior Mk. III version of the third batch. The bidding for these boats underwent Post-Qualification (PQ) in July 2018 while construction started in November 2018. These were then delivered in August 2019 and commissioned into service the following month in September 2019. This fourth batch has also been designated as part of the Mk 3 version and are scheduled to be armed with Spike-ER missiles by the last quarter of 2020.


Operational history


2010

In May 2010, the MPACs first saw combat when they were used to extract ''Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS)'' machines in
Basilan Basilan, officially the Province of Basilan ( cbk, Provincia de Basilan; yka, Wilayah Basilanin; tsg, Wilaya' sin Basilan; fil, Lalawigan ng Basilan), is an island province of the Philippines located primarily in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Reg ...
under heavy mortar fire from rogue
Moro Islamic Liberation Front The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF; ar, ''Jabhat Taḥrīr Moro al-ʾIslāmiyyah'') is a group based in Mindanao seeking an autonomous region of the Moro people from the central government. The group has a presence in the Bangsamoro r ...
(MILF) rebels attempting to sabotage the election.


2013

In September 2013, the MPACs led the search and rescue operations for the passengers of the ill-fated '' MV St. Thomas Aquinas'' owned by the
2GO 2GO or 2GO Sea Solutions, also known as 2GO Travel, is a passenger ferry company based in Manila, Philippines, the shipping and passenger ferry arm of 2GO Group, and the only remaining ferry transportation in the Philippines, Manila-based major ...
Shipping Company. It collided with ''M/V Sulpicio Express Siete'' in
Cebu Cebu (; ceb, Sugbo), officially the Province of Cebu ( ceb, Lalawigan sa Sugbo; tl, Lalawigan ng Cebu; hil, Kapuroan sang Sugbo), is a province of the Philippines located in the Central Visayas region, and consists of a main island and 16 ...
resulting in more than 100 casualties. In the same month of September 2013 during the
Zamboanga City Crisis The Zamboanga City crisis ( Filipino: ''Krisis sa Zamboanga;'' Chavacano: ''Crisis na Zamboanga'') or Zamboanga Siege was an armed conflict in Zamboanga City, Philippines between the government forces of the Philippines and Moro rebels from ...
, four MPACs were among those used to patrol the coastal villages of Zamboanga City and prevent the sympathizers of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in Basilan and Sulu from reinforcing their troops in Zamboanga.


2015

In September 2015, an MPAC participated in the ''2015 PAGSISIKAP'' Fleet-Marine Amphibious Exercise in
Ternate Ternate is a city in the Indonesian province of North Maluku and an island in the Maluku Islands. It was the ''de facto'' provincial capital of North Maluku before Sofifi on the nearby coast of Halmahera became the capital in 2010. It is off the ...
,
Cavite Cavite, officially the Province of Cavite ( tl, Lalawigan ng Kabite; Chavacano: ''Provincia de Cavite''), is a province in the Philippines located in the Calabarzon region in Luzon. Located on the southern shores of Manila Bay and southwest ...
by landing
Philippine Marine Corps The Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) ( fil, Hukbong Kawal Pandagat ng Pilipinas) is the marine corps of the Philippines, a naval infantry force under the command of the Philippine Navy. The PMC conducts amphibious, expeditionary, and special op ...
personnel into the beach.


2016

In March 2016, two MPACs of the ''Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NAVFORWESM)'' were used to intercept the ''M/L Fatima Radz-Auna'' off the coast of Arena Blanco, Zamboanga. The Radz-Auna was found with 1,500 5 kg sacks of smuggled Sugar with an estimated worth of PHP 3.15 million, and was immediately escorted to the Zamboanga Port and turned over to the
Bureau of Customs The Bureau of Customs (abbreviated BoC or BOC; fil, Kawanihan ng Adwana) is a Philippine government agency under the Department of Finance. The Bureau of Customs was established on February 6, 1902 by the Insular Government of the Philippin ...
.


2017

In December 2017, an MPAC Mk 2 (''BA-485'') was revealed to be assigned to guard the island province of Tawi-Tawi which lies near the Philippines' maritime border with Malaysia.


2018

In February 2018, two MPAC Mk 3 boats formed part of the ''3rd Boat Attack Division'' under the operational control of the ''Joint Task Force - Malampaya'' of the Palawan-based ''Western Command (WesCom)'' where they will conduct patrol and rescue operations in the waters off Palawan, particularly around the Malampaya gas field area. In April 2018, the MPAC Mk 2 (''BA-485'') participated in the interception of the Mongolian registered M/V ''Diamond 8'' vessel near the
Olutanga Olutanga is a Philippine island in the Moro Gulf, part of Zamboanga Sibugay Province. It is separated from the Zamboanga Peninsula by a narrow channel and Tantanang Bay. Olutanga, with an area of , is the largest island in the Moro Gulf and the ...
Island in the province of
Zamboanga Sibugay Zamboanga Sibugay, officially the Province of Zamboanga Sibugay ( ceb, Lalawigan sa Zamboanga Sibugay; tl, Lalawigan ng Zamboanga Sibugay; Chavacano: ''Provincia de Zamboanga Sibugay''), is a province in the Philippines located in the Zamboanga ...
which was later found to be attempting to smuggle Php 67 million worth of rice. The sailors of BA-485 were later given the
Bronze Cross Medal The Bronze Cross MedalThe AFP Adjutant General, ''AFP Awards and Decorations Handbook'', 1997, OTAG, p. 29. is a single grade military decoration of the Armed Forces of the Philippines which is awarded for "heroism involving risk of life" under co ...
for this accomplishment in May 2018. In July 2018, the MPAC Mk 1 (''BA-482'') participated in the second leg of the ''4th Combined Maritime Security Activity (MSA)'' with the
Royal Australian Navy The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) is the principal naval force of the Australian Defence Force (ADF). The professional head of the RAN is Chief of Navy (CN) Vice Admiral Mark Hammond AM, RAN. CN is also jointly responsible to the Minister of ...
(RAN) in the waters around
Tawi-Tawi Tawi-Tawi, officially the Province of Tawi-Tawi ( tl, Lalawigan ng Tawi-Tawi; Tausug: ''Wilaya' sin Tawi-Tawi''; Sinama: ''Jawi Jawi/Jauih Jauih''), is an island province in the Philippines located in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim ...
along with the BRP Anastacio Cacayorin (PG-387) and BRP Felix Apolinario (PG-395)
Patrol Craft A patrol boat (also referred to as a patrol craft, patrol ship, or patrol vessel) is a relatively small naval vessel generally designed for coastal defence, border security, or law enforcement. There are many designs for patrol boats, and the ...
s. The RAN sent the patrol vessels HMAS ''Ararat'' and ''Wollongong'' for the activity which consisted of meeting procedures, maritime patrols and ship drills. In December 2018, an MPAC Mk 1 (''BA-484'') together with the BRP Waray (LC-288), BRP Agta (LC-290),
BRP Juan Magluyan (PC-392) The BRP ''Juan Magluyan'' (PC-392) is the twentieth ship of the ''Jose Andrada'' class coastal patrol boats of the Philippine Navy. It is part of the third batch of its class ordered in 1995, and was commissioned with the Philippine Navy in July ...
,
Philippine Marine Corps The Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) ( fil, Hukbong Kawal Pandagat ng Pilipinas) is the marine corps of the Philippines, a naval infantry force under the command of the Philippine Navy. The PMC conducts amphibious, expeditionary, and special op ...
and Naval Special Operations Group units conducted an Amphibious Operation on Minis Island,
Patikul, Sulu Patikul, officially the Municipality of Patikul ( Tausūg: ''Kawman sin Patikul''; tl, Bayan ng Patikul), is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Sulu, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 79,564 people. The m ...
that resulted in the neutralization of seven
Abu Sayyaf Abu Sayyaf (; ar, جماعة أبو سياف; ', ASG), officially known by the Islamic State as the Islamic State – East Asia Province, is a Jihadist militant and pirate group that follows the Wahhabi doctrine of Sunni Islam. It is base ...
bandits, apprehension of 10 individuals and the recovery of several firearms and other war materials. The crew of BA-484 were later given the
Military Merit Medal (Philippines) The Military Merit MedalThe AFP Adjutant General, ''AFP Awards and Decorations Handbook'', 1997, OTAG, p. 34-35. is a military decoration of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The medal is awarded for heroic achievement or meritorious service du ...
with Spearhead Device for their participation in the operation.


2020

In April 2020, MPAC Mk 3 (''BA-493'') delivered relief goods for Patients Under Investigation (PUI) and ''Persons Under Monitoring (PUM)'' for the
coronavirus pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic, also known as the coronavirus pandemic, is an ongoing global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The novel virus was first identifie ...
in the remote Towns of
Mapun Mapun, officially the Municipality of Mapun, is a 4th class municipality in the province of Tawi-Tawi, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 30,038 people. It is formerly known as Cagayan de Sulu until 1984, then as ...
and Turtle Islands in
Tawi-Tawi Tawi-Tawi, officially the Province of Tawi-Tawi ( tl, Lalawigan ng Tawi-Tawi; Tausug: ''Wilaya' sin Tawi-Tawi''; Sinama: ''Jawi Jawi/Jauih Jauih''), is an island province in the Philippines located in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim ...
. In September 2020, MPAC Mk 3 (''BA-492'') spotted and rescued 4 Fishermen who were standing over their capsized Boat, the ''M/B Elsa 3'' off the Coast of Zamboanga City. On November 3, 2020, two MPAC Mk 3 (''BA-491'') and (''BA-493'') were involved in a high speed intercept of a boat carrying seven
Abu Sayyaf Abu Sayyaf (; ar, جماعة أبو سياف; ', ASG), officially known by the Islamic State as the Islamic State – East Asia Province, is a Jihadist militant and pirate group that follows the Wahhabi doctrine of Sunni Islam. It is base ...
terrorists off the coast of
Parang, Sulu Parang, officially the Municipality of Parang ( Tausūg: ''Kawman sin Parang''; tl, Bayan ng Parang), is a 2nd class municipality in the province of Sulu, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 71,495 people. Geograph ...
. The operation led to the killing of all seven terrorists. An
AgustaWestland AW109 The AgustaWestland AW109, originally the Agusta A109, is a lightweight, twin-engine, eight-seat multi-purpose helicopter designed and initially produced by the Italian rotorcraft manufacturer Agusta. It was the first all-Italian helicopter to ...
Light Attack Helicopter of the Philippine Air Force provided air support during the operation.


2021

In February 2021, the MPAC Mk 3 (''BA-494'') intercepted and caught the ''F/B Princess Arlyn'' off the coast of Sulu which was carrying 360 Cases of smuggled imported cigarettes worth Php 17.3 million on its way to
Cotabato City Cotabato City, officially the City of Cotabato ( Maguindanaon: ''Kuta nu Kutawatu'', Jawi: كوتا نو كوتاواتو; Iranun: ''Bandar a Kotawato'', بندر ا كوتاواتو; fil, Lungsod ng Cotabato), is a third class independent c ...
from
Indonesia Indonesia, officially the Republic of Indonesia, is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania between the Indian and Pacific oceans. It consists of over 17,000 islands, including Sumatra, Java, Sulawesi, and parts of Borneo and New Guine ...
. In July 2021, the MPAC Mk 2 (''BA-485'') rescued 17 People from the Jungkung-type Boat named ''Friendly'' off the Coast of Patikul and Luuk in Sulu after it capsized due to big Waves and strong Winds from the bad Weather in the area. In November 2021, MPAC Mk 2 (''BA-485'') with Government Troops onboard intercepted the ''M/B Francis Kane'' which was found with 203 cases of Cigarettes smuggled from
Indonesia Indonesia, officially the Republic of Indonesia, is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania between the Indian and Pacific oceans. It consists of over 17,000 islands, including Sumatra, Java, Sulawesi, and parts of Borneo and New Guine ...
worth Php 7.4 million off the Coast of Kalingalan Caluang in Sulu.


2022

In early June 2022, the MPAC Mk 3 with Hull Numbers ''BA-492'', ''BA-493'' and ''BA-494'' which comprises the 4th Boat Attack Division of the Littoral Combat Force (LCF) of the Philippine Navy arrived in its new Area of Assignment in
Davao City Davao City, officially the City of Davao ( ceb, Dakbayan sa Dabaw; ), is a first class highly urbanized city in the Davao Region, Philippines. The city has a total land area of , making it the largest city in the Philippines in terms of lan ...
as part of the Naval Forces Eastern Command (NFEM).


Subclasses

*Mk 1:
Original production version with total of three built by Lung Teh Shipbuiling Co. *Mk 2:
Second production version built by Propmech Corp. This version is 2 meters longer than the Mk 1 and can be differentiated by the shape of its pilot house and the positions of the machine guns. *Mk 3:
Removal of assault ramp, able to operate up to Sea State 5 and armed with ''Spike-ER missiles'', a 12.7 mm machine gun on a ''Mini-Typhoon Weapon Station'' and two 7.62 mm machine guns. The Spike missiles and Mini-Typhoon RWS first became operational with the Mk 3 in August 2018.


Ships in class


Gallery

File:Philippine Navy Multi-Purpose Attack Craft.jpg, An MPAC Mk 1 designed to deploy up to 16 troops File:MPAC_Mk_3_(BA-488)_-_Oblique_Front_View.jpg, An MPAC Mk 3 docked at the Naval Station Jose Andrada in Manila File:MPAC_Mk3_-_Bridge_and_Spike_MLS_ER.jpg, The Bridge and Spike MLS ER Missile Launcher of an MPAC Mk3 File:MPAC_Mk_3_(BA-491)_Leaving_the_Pier.webm, An MPAC Mk 3 maneuvering from the Pier File:MPAC_Mk_3_(BA-491)_at_Naval_Station_Andrada.webm, A quick walkthrough of an MPAC Mk 3 docked at the Naval Station Jose Andrada in Manila


See also

*
CB90 Stridsbåt 90 H(alv) (Strb 90 H; CB90) is a class of fast military assault craft used by several countries after being originally developed for the Swedish Navy by Dockstavarvet. Its name means Combat Boat 90 Half; the ''90'' refers to the year ...
, Swedish combat boat * KMC Komando, Indonesian combat boat *
Raptor-class patrol boat The Raptor-class patrol boat, formally identified as Project 03160, is a series of Russian high-speed coastal patrol boats. Boats of the class belong to the 4th rank ships in the Russian Navy. This project was developed by the design bureau of JS ...
, Russian combat boat


References

{{commons category, Multi-Purpose Attack Craft (MPAC) Military boats Riverine warfare Ships of the Philippine Navy Amphibious warfare vessel classes Landing craft Ships built in the Republic of China Ships built in the Philippines