THE Army is expecting its first delivery of armored fighting vehicles from Israel, at least by January next year, as the delivery processes are already in full swing.
Israeli contractor Elbit Systems’ Land and C41 said it hoped to deliver the upgraded armored vehicles procured by the Army under the $20-million contract it signed in January.
Elbit is an international defense electronics company operating in the areas of aerospace, land and naval systems, command, control, communications, intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance.
“We are very pleased to be awarded our first contract for the Philippines Armed Forces, which we hope will be followed by others,” said Udi Vered, general manager of Elbit Systems’ Land and C41.
Early this year, the Department of National Defense signed the P888-million contract with the Israeli firm for the delivery of 28 upgraded armored personnel carriers.
Fourteen of the fighting vehicles are armed with automatic 76mm cannons and should provide the needed fire power to ground troops during combat operations.
Six are designed as “armored personnel carriers” models, while four are “infantry fighting vehicles” and the remaining four are “recovery and repair units.”
Once the vehicles are put into service, the Army will use them as mobile field artilleries.
Currently, the Army is heavily dependent on the 105mm and 155mm howitzers in providing the needed fire support to troops during firefights and similar operations.
Elbit said the upgraded armored personnel carriers should include 25-mm unmanned turrets, 12.7-mm remote controlled weapon stations and fire control systems for 90 mm turrets.
“The contract marks a significant breakthrough for Elbit Systems, as it is the first one awarded to the company in the Philippines,” said the Israeli contractor.
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