The arrival of the first batch of US donated M-113A2 armored
personnel carriers (APCs) Wednesday night, would complete the table of
equipment of the five armored battalions of the Mechanized Infantry Division
(MID).
This was stressed by Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)
spokesperson Col. Restituto Padilla Thursday.
Seventy-seven US-donated M-113A2 APCs arrived in Subic Bay , Zambales last night.
"Well for once, the (MID) will now be able to complete
(the table of equipment of its five armored battalions), battle steel movement
will be expedited, and accuracy in operation when it is mobilized, and ensure
the survival of our troops (in field operations)," Padilla pointed.
Another 37 are expected to arrive by Dec. 14, completing the
114 APCs donation coming from the US
The AFP virtually got these additional armored assets for
free, saved for the shipping costs which amounted to Php67.5 million and
refitting of .50 caliber machine guns to the APCs.
A Philippine mechanized infantry battalion is supposed to
have 36 armored vehicles as a fighting force but due to lack of equipment, some
units are operating only 26 to 27 APCs which is below their mandated
complement.
And with all its battalions up to strength, it can deploye
more units for whatever missions the Armed Forces of the Philippines can assign
to it.
The MID is known to be operating 343 to 345 armored vehicles
of all types as of this posting.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=836592
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