PA plans to form air defense artillery unit

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 24): PA plans to form air defense artillery unit
 
In a bid to increase its anti-aircraft capabilities, the Philippine Army is planning to form a so-called "ADA" (air defense artillery) unit which will help the Philippine Air Force in repelling incursions of hostile aircraft in the country's airspace.

Capt. Anthony Bacus, PA spokesperson, said that the proposal is under the Army Transportation Roadway.

Once formed, the ADA will be tasked to address external threats, he added.

At present, anti-aircraft assets of the PA are embedded in its Mechanized Infantry Division which is based in Camp O'Donnell, Capas, Tarlac. This unit operates around 343 AFVs (armored fighting vehicles) at present, including 150 of the United Kingdom-built GKN "Simba," with the rest consisting of the United States-designed V-150 and V-200 APCs, M-113 "Bradley," Turkish-made ACV-300s and British Scorpion CVRTs (combat vehicles reconnaissance tracks).

These AFVs give the PA its armor capability and are organized into a 14-vehicle mechanized infantry companion for deployment with regular units.

"Our anti-air assets are embedded at our 'Mechanized Infantry Division,' meaning that they will play multi-roles if there's a need to, but primarily their weapons (are meant) to support ground troops," Bacus said.

He added that anti-aircraft weapons operated by the PA as of the moment include: three units of Bushmasters 25mm auto-cannons, 32 units of Oerlikon 25mm auto-cannons, and 14 units of .50 caliber heavy machine guns.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=608910