The first surface-to-air missiles acquired by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) arrived in the country on Friday, the Philippine Navy officials said on Sunday.

Commander Benjo Negranza,  Navy public affairs office director said the Mistral 3 surface-to-air missiles of the two Jose Rizal frigates of the Philippine Navy, BRP Jose Rizal and BRP Antonio Luna  was delivered at Subic Bay International Airport in Bataan on Friday

"The procurement and delivery of the Mistral SAMs is part of the Philippine Navy Frigate Acquisition Project which was awarded to MBDA Missile Systems based in France," he said.

Navy chief Vice Admiral Adeluis Bordado said it is the first time for the Philippine Navy and the AFP to acquire surface-to-air missile capability.

"It is one of the game changers which is part of the frigate acquisition. They initially made the platform and then this coming March the surface-to-surface (missiles) will arrive," he said.

Bordado said  the two Jose Rizal class frigates will also be equipped with close-in weapon systems.

"We are becoming modern and multi-capable," he said.

Negranza said the "surface-to-air missiles are among the primary weapons of FF150 and FF151 that bolsters the PN’s anti-air warfare capability."

"The arrival of these missiles will greatly capacitate our Jose Rizal class frigates in the conduct of their maritime operations," he added. Robina Asido/DMS