Philippine army test fires Elbit tanks

A battalion of the Philippine Army Armored Corps has completed its first test training with the Sapra light tank, with a 105mm main gun, manufactured in Israel by Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ: ESLT; level:ESLTA live-fire drill was conducted at the Ernesto Rabina Air Base target range in Tarlac province, part of the Philippine military’s training to counter concerns about China.

The Philippines is an island nation south of Taiwan. The main fear in Manila is that if a Chinese invasion of Taiwan happens, the Philippines will be the next target. That’s why they have been buying huge amounts of defense equipment in recent years from South Korea (37 percent of total defense imports, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI)) and Israel (28 percent).

In the 2020 tank tender, the Israeli company beat out a South Korean-Turkish joint venture, Hanwha and Otokar.

The Elbit tank carries a 105mm gun, which can be used with a variety of weapons. The Sabra tank includes an advanced fire control system, enhanced armor, and the ability to locate targets from the highest technological levels. It is suitable for the Philippines with its difficult geographical conditions and rainforests, as it has high agility in the terrain and maneuverability, while carrying a crew of three: commander, gunner and driver.

The Philippines signed the contract with Elbit in October 2020, for the purchase of 18 light tanks, with the first tanks to be delivered in late 2022. A key consideration in choosing the Sabra over competitors such as Indonesia’s Pindad’s Harimau tank was that the Sabra’s operating costs were more attractive.

System made by Rafael

The Sabra system is just one of many Israeli-made weapons that Manila has purchased. Two and a half weeks ago, the Philippine military unveiled the Rafael-made SPYDER air defense system as part of its 77th anniversary celebrations. The system was proudly displayed to showcase the military’s modernization.

SPYDER is an advanced air defense system, used by many armies around the world, including the Czech Army, and provides air defense solutions for various ranges and against a variety of air threats, including drones, aircraft, helicopters and short-range ballistic missiles. The system intercepts threats using two families of interceptor missiles manufactured by Rafael – Python and Derby.

According to Army Recognition, the Philippines purchased three Spider batteries, while a 2020 report by MaxDefense Philippines stated that the sale of the three batteries amounted to $141 million. The deal also included the purchase of Python and Derby missiles, designed to deal with several types of threats: aircraft, helicopters, drones, and missiles.

This article was published in Globes, Israeli Business News – en.globes.co.il – on July 24, 2024.

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