 |
| AW159 Wildcat with integrated SPIKE NLOS missiles |
The Philippine Navy (PN)’s first two anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopters will be armed with Spike NLOS missiles giving it a capability to engage hostile vessels beyond visual range.
The said weapon manufactured by Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. NLOS is short for “non-line of sight”. It was originally designed to destroy tanks.
PN spokesperson Capt. Lincuna said these helicopters are the AgustaWestland AW-159 “Wildcats” which are scheduled to be delivered by 2018.
 |
| AgustaWestland AW159 Wildcat with Torpedoes |
The Department of National Defense signed a contract with AugustaWestland, now Leonardo, to buy two AW-159 ASW helicopters for PHP5.362 billion, last year.
It will be deployed aboard the two frigates the Philippines has ordered from South Korea worth PHP16 billion.
Read the full story at Tankler