Israeli self-propelled howitzers delivered to PH Army
MANILA, Philippines—Israel’s Elbit Systems has delivered Soltam ATMOS 155mm wheeled self-propelled howitzers for the Philippine Army.
A technical inspection and acceptance procedure for the artillery systems was scheduled in the third week of January for the 12 units and one crane that arrived in December, Army spokesperson Col. Xerxes Trinidad told Inquirer.net.
The acquisition of the artillery systems was part of the Horizon 2 of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ modernization program.
The Philippine Army had ordered two batteries from Elbit Systems for a contract price of P2.4 billion through a government-to-government deal with Israel. This would be the first time that the Army would operate brand new self-propelled howitzer systems.
The Army is also set to conduct technical inspection for newly-delivered M113 armored platforms also from Elbit Systems, Trinidad said.
But 70 units of Chinese-made military vehicles also for the Philippine Army are still pending final acceptance.
The Army said in October that there was an ongoing technical inspection for 49 light troop carriers, 18 medium cargo trucks, and three field ambulances manufactured by Dongfeng Motors of China.
