Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City–Modernization efforts of the Philippine Army (PA) ended with a bright note after it started distribution of its new 5.56mm R4A3 automatic rifles last September and 77 M-113A2 APCs (armored personnel carriers), earlier pledged, arrived last Dec.10 in Subic Bay, Zambales.
Another 37 are expected to reach the country by the third week of December, completing the 114 APCs commitment made by the US. Transfer of these surplus American APCs was made possible through the US Excess Defense Article (EDA) Program.
Another highlight for the PA is the testing of six units out of the 28 refurbished M-113A2 which are fitted with .50 caliber remote-controlled weapon systems last September 21. The six APCs were transported to Tarlac last July 8 as part of 28 APC refurbishment deal with Israeli defense manufacturer Elbit Systems Ltd worth Php882 million.
The remaining upgraded APC units will be arriving by 2016. Fourteen of the M-113s will be configured as fire support vehicles, four as infantry fighting vehicles, another four as armored recovery units.
And during the third week of September, the PA started distribution of its brand-new 5.56mm R4A3 rifles to ground units.
“By 2016, the PA envisions to be a well-equipped and respected Army in Southeast Asia, and a potent force that is ready and capable to address external threats,” PA commander Lt. Gen. Eduardo M. Año said.
http://dwdd.com.ph/2015/yearender-army-ends-2015-with-more-armored-assets-new-rifles/
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