The Philippine Navy will fire three of its major missile systems as its vessels join the live fire exercise of this year's Balikatan drill in Bataan late next month.

In a press conference in Manila on Tuesday, Navy Flag Officer-In-Command Vice Admiral Jose Ma. Ambrosio Ezpeleta announced "the upcoming live-fire exercises involving the Spike Non-Line of-Sight (NLOS) missile weapons systems aboard the Philippine Navy's two Acero-Class Fast Attack Interdiction Craft (FAIC) - PG908 and PG909 on April 21, 2025 in Mariveles, Bataan".

"These live missile firing represent a significant advancement in our operational capabilities and mark a step in refining, shaping realistic and combat - ready military doctrines," he said.

Navy spokesman Capt. John Percie Alcos explained that this is not the first time that it will be firing the Spike NLOS missiles aboard its Acero class patrol craft, same way that they fired the C-Star surface to surface missiles aboard its Jose Rizal-Class frigates last year.

However, Alcos noted "this year will be the first time that we will be firing multiple missile systems aboard different naval assets, to include the mistral surface to air missiles during the Balikatan maritime strike capability exercise."

"These live fire exercises are crucial for the Navy to further enhance its operational capabilities as well as validate existing war fighting doctrines in order for us to effectively perform our mandate of protecting our maritime rights and jurisdictions," he said.

"All the FAIC's were already delivered. And for us to test these delivered assets, we have to maximize and test their full war fighting capabilities," he added. Robina Asido/DMS