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1st aerial Spike NLOS missile launch marks PH Navy drill off Zambales

Philippine News Agency

By Priam Nepomuceno
September 10, 2025, 11:49 am

MANILA -- The Philippine Navy (PN) on Tuesday held a live-fire unilateral missile exercise west of San Antonio, Zambales, highlighted by the first-ever aerial launch of a Spike Non-Line of Sight (NLOS) missile.

In a statement on Wednesday, the PN said its AW159 "Wildcat" anti-submarine helicopter "successfully conducted the first-ever aerial launch of a Spike NLOS and destroyed its designated target" during the activity.

It said the successful launch proved that "missiles can be launched from both air and surface assets, streamlining flexibility and logistics."

The missile boat BRP Tomas Campo (PG-908) also took part in the exercise, carrying out another coordinated Spike NLOS missile launch against a separate target, the PN added.

Spike NLOS, a precision-guided, multi-purpose missile system developed by Israel's Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, is designed to engage targets beyond visual range with pinpoint accuracy using advanced electro-optical and real-time video guidance.

It also empowers operators with full control from launch to impact.

The PN said Spike NLOS missile system's integration into its arsenal "significantly enhances standoff strike capabilities, boosting maritime defense, strategic deterrence, and operational effectiveness."

The successful live-fire unilateral missile exercise forms part of the Armed Forces of the Philippines' broader Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept (CADC), which emphasizes distributed lethality, domain awareness, and joint force integration across the country's vast maritime domain.

The drill was witnessed by PN acting flag officer in command, Rear Admiral Alan Javier, Philippine Fleet (PF) commander Rear Adm. Joe Anthony Orbe, and other ranking naval officers in a monitoring room at the Naval Base Heracleo Alano in Cavite City.

Other PN capital assets, including BRP Miguel Malvar (FFG-06), ScanEagle UAV, fast attack interdiction craft missile-capable BRP Albert Majini (PG-909) and BRP Laurence Narag (PG-907), and multi-purpose attack craft BA-492 and BA-488 provided critical support to the exercise, the PN said.

Units from the Philippine Marine Corps' Coast Defense Regiment and from the Philippine Coast Guard's BRP Suluan (MRRV-4406) also supported the exercise. (PNA)