SARO for 60mm MortarAcquisition of PMC

24 Agustus 2023

60mm mortar for Philippine Marine Corps (photo : Bons Cue PH)

Last August 16, 2023, a Saro (Special Allotment Release Order) from the Department of Budget and Management has been provided for the implementation of the Mortar Acquisition Project - Lot 1 (60mm) of the Philippine Navy, which amounted to 444,435,636.00 Million Pesos. The Mortar acquisition is intended for the Philippine Marine Corps.

The Mortar Acquisition of the Philippine Navy is divided into 3 Lots.

Lot 1 - 60mm Mortar (240 units)

Lot 2 - 81mm Mortar (30 Units)

Lot 3 - 120mm Mortar (8 Units)

The combined total cost of the three lots for the Philippine Navys Mortar Acquisition project is amounting to 694 Million Pesos.

The Lot 2, 81mm Mortar acquisition has been concluded last December 2019. The project was awarded to Expal Systems of Spain. Lot 3, the 120mm Mortar acquisition has its Saro released last February 2022.

In a separate acquisition, the Philippine Army received additional 40 units of 60mm Mortar Systems in 2019, purchased from the United States through Foreign Military Sales. 

The 60mm mortar is considered to be the "pocket artillery" by small maneuvering units, handled by a heavy weapons platoon. Though it is considered a crew-served weapon system, the 60mm is a light mortar that is portable and can be carried by a platoon.

Currently, the Philippine Army possesses the biggest Mortar System in the AFP's inventory which is the 120mm Cardom Mortar System from Elbit, mounted on some of its M113 Armored Personnel Carriers, converted as Mortar Carriers.

(Bons Cue PH)