Indian Firm is Lowest Bidder in Light Armor System Upgrade Project

07 Januari 2019

PMC LAV-150 Commando (photo : Rhk111)

According to confirmation obtained by MaxDefense Philippines, Indian company Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Group is the lowest bidder for Department of National Defense (DND)-Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)’s Light Armor System Upgrade (LARSU) Acquisition Project for Philippine Navy and Philippine Air Force.

MaxDefense added that it was informed that the post qualification inspection started late 2018.

The acquisition project has an approved budget of PHP711,938,000.00 for the upgrade of Marines’ and Air Force’s Light Armor Vehicles (LAVs).

“The Philippine Marine Corps has come up with this project in order to enhance the operational readiness of line units. That LAV vehicle has proven effective in the conduct of armor combat support in amphibious and mechanized operations ashore,” says in the project’s bidding documents.

“The importance of light armored assets in urban security operations is clearly manifested in the recent Zamboanga Peninsula and Marawi Siege. However, uncontrollable factors such as old modeled engine, deterioration of major parts/assemblies compounded by the unavailability of spare parts and out-modeled target acquisition systems have resulted to the decrease of its effectiveness,” it adds.

(Mintfo)