30 Juli 2013

Israeli Firms Show Defense Products to Army

30 Juli 2013


The Soltam Systems' state-of-the-art Autonomous Towed Howitzer ATHOS 2052 is a long range 155mm 52 cal. Gun, achieving a max. range of 41 km. (photo : Soltam)


MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Army, looking to modernize its equipment to boost territorial defense, on Tuesday got a glimpse of the wares showcased by four defense suppliers accredited by the Israel Defense Industries (IDI).

The four firms conducted product demonstrations in Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City to “enable the Philippine Army to determine the advance technology with regard to military equipment that will address  the requirements in the field,” Army spokesman Lt. Col. Randolph Cabangbang said.

The firms include Israel Military Industries (IMI), ELBIT System Ltd., Israel Aerospace Industries, and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. Their representatives gave the Philippine Army’s Technical Assessment Teams a sneak peek into their products.

Army chief Lt. Gen. Noel Coballes was among the military and defense officials led by Patrick Velez, Assistant Secretary for Acquisition, Installations and Logistics (OASAIL), in going over prospective defense products for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to buy under its modernization program.

Among the products the Army is looking to purchase are surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) and multiple launch rocket system (MLRS); Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), Night Fighting Systems; and Command, Control, Communication, and Intelligence equipment.

 Also on its shopping list are units of 155mm Computerized Autonomous Truck Mounted System, a modern version of the manually-operated 155mm howitzer.

Meanwhile, the Air Force is considering the purchase of missile systems from Israel for the FA50 lead-in trainer jets that the country plans to buy, with a budget P18.9 billion, from the supplier Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) of South Korea.

Cabangbang said Coballes invited the IDI to afford the Technical Assessment Teams a deeper appreciation and knowledge of the defense equipment, and thus boost their market research and analysis; and familiarize them with new technology and platforms regarding military hardware.

(InterAksyon)

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