18 More Light Tanks from Israel to be Delivered This Year

18 Februari 2026

Sabrah light tanks (photo: AFP)

MANILA – Philippine Army (PA) commander Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete on Monday said he expects all remaining 18 units of the Sabrah light tanks, ordered to beef up the service's armored capabilities, to be delivered within this year.

"We have nine units of Sabrah (light tanks) now (in service) and we are still waiting for 18 units," he said when asked for updates on the project at a press conference at Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City.

"This is a big item, negotiations are still ongoing. And we hope within this year matatapos na yun delivery natin (our Sabrah tank deliveries will be completed)," Nafarrete said.

For security reasons, the PA chief did not give further details on the possible delivery dates of these armored assets.

Around nine to 10 units are now in service with the PA's Armored Division. Reports said these were delivered from 2022 to 2025.

The Philippines' Sabrah light tank, which was developed by Israeli defense manufacturer Elbit Systems, was the first armored vehicle of the PA to be armed with a 105mm cannon.

The PA's light tank acquisition project is under Horizon 2 of the Revised AFP Modernization Program. The contract is worth around PHP9.4 billion and was acquired via government-to-government mode. 

(PNA)