As part of its on-going modernization program, the Philippine Army (PA) recently obtained 15 brand new M125A2 Armored Mortar Carriers (AMCs) from Israel.
Lt. General Romeo Brawner Jr., PA Commanding General, welcomed the delivery of the new assets as he noted this procurement will enhance the capabilities of the military's ground forces.
"These new armor assets will bolster the Army's capability to deal with constantly evolving threats. With the realization of upcoming big-ticket modernization projects, the Philippine Army is on track to becoming a formidable and adaptive force capable of responding to a multitude of conventional and unconventional threats," he said in a statement on Monday night, Jan. 10.
The Philippine Army, through its Armor Division, acquired the new AMCs from Israel's Elbit Systems last Dec. 29, 2021.
The AMCs were equipped with 120mm Mounted Mortar System (MMS) and will be subjected for inspection within the first quarter of the year by the Technical Inspection and Acceptance Committee (TIAC) before these are accepted and employed to the Army's field units.
Maj. Gen. Efren Baluyot, commander of the PA Armor Division, said the new AMCs will "capacitate the country's land force's credible defense posture from various threats, local and international."
The new assets are designed to provide close and immediate indirect fire support for maneuver units while they are quickly deployed in tactical situations.
Aside from the AMCs, the PA has more modernization projects in the pipeline including the Wheeled Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) Acquisition Project, APC Firepower Upgrade with Enclosed Weapon System (EWS), and the Light Tank Acquisition Project.