The Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) and the Philippine Army (PA) have recently formed new battalions to further strengthen their air defense and field artillery units, the military said Thursday, June 24.
Major Gen. Nestor Herico, PMC Commandant, led the activation of the Shore-Based Air Defense System (SBADS) Battalion in a ceremony at the PMC headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City last Wednesday.
The SBADS Battalion, to be commanded by Maj. Dennis Tubo, is the second unit under the Coastal Defense Regiment after the Shore Based Anti-Ship Missile (SBASM) Battalion.
“The shore-based air defense system is considered a significant part of all reliable coastal defense systems that protect strategic assets and infrastructures. This is to address the military’s gap relative to our capacity to defend our bases and new equipment against aggressors from the air,” Herico said.
The SBADS is seen to complement the Marines' efforts for sea lines of communications’ control, anti-access/area-denial, and coastal and island defense operations under its archipelagic coastal defense strategy.
Herico directed Tubo to equip the SBADS unit with skilled personnel and missile system assets that will protect SBASM against any threats or attacks.
The two Marine battalions were formed after the signing of the contract for the acquisition of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) first supersonic cruise missiles, BrahMos, from India in January.
Meanwhile, Army Inspector General Maj. Gen. Roy M. Galido led the activation of the 10th Field Artillery "Rolling Thunder" Battalion (155SP) in Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija also last Wednesday.
The 155SP will serve as the mother unit of the 12 brand new ATMOS 155mm self-propelled howitzers of the PA Artillery Regiment, according to Col. Xerxes Trinidad, Army spokesperson.
”This newly activated unit will surely contribute to our continuing victory in the conduct of combined arms operations,” Galido said in his speech.
”As Artilyeros, let us not forget the characteristics that make you the best—speed and accuracy. Speed in providing the much-needed fire support to troops and accuracy in hitting only designated targets and avoiding collateral damage,” the Army Inspector General remarked.