The Philippine Army (PA) recently delivered indirect fire weapons with a boost in firepower, delivering 12 Israeli-made Elbit Systems Soltam ATMOS 2000 155mm/52 caliber self-propelled howitzers (SPH) in late December.
Images of the SPH spread across the internet after arriving in Subic Bay, with the ammunition mounted on a 6×6 off-road truck with a four-door armoured cab. The acquisition of SPH for approximately $46.8 million was originally announced in April 2020.
The army also received 15 Elbit Systems M125A2 Armoured Mortar Carriers (AMC) equipped with the Cardom 120mm recoil mortar system. Cardom is a computer system with a range of 7,000 m and a maximum rate of fire of 16 rounds per minute.
The service also expects to have 20 new Elbit Systems Sabrah ASCOD II light tanks by 2022 and 10 Sabrah PANDUR II 8× by 2023, Army spokesman Colonel Xerxes Trinidad told state-run Philippine News Agency on Jan. 6. 8 Armored Fighting Vehicles (AFV). Both platforms will be armed with 105mm guns.
The vehicles are equipped with Elbit-supplied mission equipment, including electro-optical sights, fire control systems, and a Torch-X-based battle management system and E-LynX software-defined radio system.
Colonel Trinidad also noted that the vehicles will be assigned to a newly formed unit, the 1st Tank Battalion, which will be assigned to the Army’s Armored Division.
“As part of the light tank procurement program under the Revised AFP Modernization Program (RAFPMP) Horizon 2, 20 Sabrah ASCOD light tanks are expected to be delivered this year,” he said.
In addition to ground assets, Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Andres Centino noted in December that the military’s aviation capabilities will be expanded to improve the service’s aerial surveillance and mobility.
by Jr Ng
