The exposure of Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) troopers to
the latest American AAVs (amphibious assault vehicles) is part of the efforts
to upgrade the war-fighting capability of the Navy's elite shock troops.
This was disclosed by Philippine amphibious assault exercise
director Col. Doroteo Jose Jalandoni during a briefing shortly after Tuesday's
military exercise at the North Beach training area in Naval Education and Training
Command, Naval Station Leovigildo Gantioqui in San Antonio
While waiting for the PMC to acquire vehicles similar to the
armored AAVs, he said that training and exposure to similar equipment is needed
to ensure that Filipino marines will not have difficulties in adjusting to their
new equipment.
Twenty-one AAVs participated in Tuesday's amphibious assault
activity.
These were supported by the USS Green Bay (LPD-20), their
mother ship, two "Huey" helicopters and two "Cobra"
gunships and 600 Marines, 200 of them Filipinos.
Earlier, the Philippine Navy announced that it is acquiring
eight units of amphibious assault vehicles for the PMC.
"It will be utilized to land the surface assault
elements of the landing force and their equipment in a single lift from the
assault shipping during amphibious operations to inland objectives and to
conduct mechanized operations and related combat support missions in subsequent
operations ashore," PN vice commander Rear Admiral Caesar Taccad said.
The amphibious assault vehicles can also provide direct fire
support, screen and mechanized operations for international security
operations.
"Similarly for humanitarian assistance disaster relief
operations for devastated areas, having the capability of beaching during
ship-to-shore movement of troops and cargoes," Taccad said.
He added that the project is now waiting for the Department
of National Defense (DND) to issue a notice of award.
The DND has allocated PhP2.5 billion for the project.
The fund will be sourced from the Revised Armed Forces of
the Philippines Modernization Program.
This includes integrated logistic support, DND bidding and
awards committee vice chair Efren Fernandez earlier said.
Interested bidders must have completed a similar project
within the last 10 years.
Winning bidders, meanwhile, must be capable of delivering
the vehicles within 910 calendar days of the opening of the letter of credit.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=754799
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