Army Activates 2 More Artillery Batteries

22 Januari 2020

MBDA Mistral air defence (photo : MBDA)

MANILA -- The Philippine Army (PA) said on Thursday it has activated its 2nd Air Defense Artillery Battery and 2nd Field Artillery Battery, during short ceremonies in Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija last January 15, in line with ongoing efforts to update its defensive capabilities.

These units are under the PA's Army Artillery Regiment (AAR), Army spokesperson Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala said in a statement.

Army chief, Lt. Gen. Gilbert Gapay, AAR commander Brig. Gen. Virgilio Bartolome and the commanding officers of the two newly-activated units led the activation ceremony.

Zagala said an air defense battery is designed to provide air defense for Army units, areas, and installations against unmanned aerial vehicles or remotely-piloted vehicles as well as fixed and rotary aircraft.

Meanwhile, a field artillery battery will help in troop maneuver to destroy, neutralize, and suppress the enemies through its fire support to maneuver units.

A battery is generally composed of six artillery tubes, rocket or missile launchers.

Zagala said these combined units shall provide a lethal force for a modern PA.

The new units also align with national security priority to safeguard and preserve the Philippine sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“To the commanders of the new units, I challenge you to lead your respective batteries with drive and dynamism,” Gapay said during the event.

These newly activated batteries are also part of the development of its anti-access and area denial capabilities in pursuit of its vision of becoming a World-Class Army by 2028, he added. (PNA)

PH Army to Acquire ATMOS SPH, Eyes MBDA Mistral & LIGNex1 Chiron SHORAD as it Activates 2 New Units

The Philippine Army has recently activated two additional small units assigned under the Army Artillery Regiment (AAR) as it continues to expand its capabilities as modernization of the Philippine Army continues.

The units are the 2nd Air Defense Artillery Battery and the 2nd Field Artillery (155mm Self Propelled) Battery, which were activated on 15 January 2020 during ceremonies held at Army Artillery Regiment's headquarters at Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija.


With the new units means that new assets are expected to arrive as part of the AFP Modernization Program.

The activation of the 2nd Field Artillery (155mm Self Propelled) Battery is a continuation of the Army Artillery Regiment's goal to raise 2 batteries (equivalent to an Army Company) to train and operate the upcoming 155mm Self Propelled Howitzers being acquires by the Philippine Army.

The activation of the 2nd Air Defense Artillery Battery is in line with the Philippine Army's plan to build-up cadres and operational units to operate incoming air defense assets.

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