In line with its ongoing modernization efforts, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will formally distribute to Army and Marine units on Tuesday the first batch of its newly-procured Remington M-4 automatic rifles.
A total of 27,300 units of the weapons arrived last July 31.
The remaining 23,329 rifles are expected to be delivered in December, this year.
Distribution will take place at the AFP General Headquarters canopy area in
To be present in the distribution ceremonies are President Benigno S. Aquino III and AFP chief-of-staff Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang.
Zagala said that these newly-acquired firearms are part of the Joint Philippine Army–Philippine Marine Corps Assault Rifle Acquisition Project by the government.
Under this project, the AFP will receive a total of 50,629 units of M-4 rifles, with 44,186 to be given to the Army and 6,443 to the Navy.
The contract price was P1.9 billion which was sourced from the AFP Capability Upgrade Program (CUP) 2012.
United States-based Remington Outdoor Company won the public bidding in October 2013.
The approved budget for the contract was about P3.3 billion, thus generating a total savings for the government estimated at P1.2 billion.
The savings will be used for the procurement of additional rifles, thereby increasing the readiness rating of the Army and the Marines and at the same time increasing the level of confidence, morale and pride of the soldiers, especially those serving in the field.
The 5.56mm M-4 rifle was prioritized to supplement and replace the early models of M-16 and M-16A1 rifle, majority of which were as old as the Vietnam War era and are already in poor condition and need refurbishing or replacement.
The AFP’s procurement of these brand-new assault rifles is part of the thrust to modernize the armed forces, and start it with the individual foot soldier in the field.
One of the major goals of the AFP Modernization Program is the improvement of the mission-essential capability requirements of the AFP in terms of firepower for the ground troops.
With this recent acquisition, Zagala said the AFP is optimistic that it will significantly contribute to the development and transformation of the military into a multi-mission-oriented force, capable of effectively addressing both internal and external threats.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=671328
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.