Army Chief Vows More Modernization for Artillery, Missile Unit

04 Juli 2026

1st Ground-Launched Missile Battalion prepared to receive and operate one or a combination of the following missile systems BrahMos Supersonic Missile System (complementing with PMC) and K239 Chunmoo MLRS multiple rocket launcher system (photo: Philippine Army)

MANILA – Philippine Army (PA) chief Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete on Monday said he will do everything he can to support the ongoing modernization of the Army Artillery Regiment (AAR) to make it more capable in defending the country against all forms of threats.

"We will continue to invest in modernization, professional development, operational readiness, and innovation to ensure that the Philippine Artillery remains highly capable, adaptive, and always mission-ready," he said in a statement.

Nafarrete stressed the need for sustained modernization and readiness amid a rapidly evolving security environment, noting that today's threats demand agility, competence and the capacity to act with precision and decisiveness.

The PA chief also challenged the AAR to press forward in deepening professional development and strengthening operational readiness.

Among the recent modernization and organizational updates from the AAR were the provisional activation of the 1st Ground-Launched Missile Battalion which enhances the PA’s ability to deter threats and defend national sovereignty and the strengthening of its Light Deployable Battery Communication System.

"We will meet the challenges together. We will remain relentless in our pursuit of excellence," the PA chief said.

Incidentally, the AAR celebrated its 128th founding anniversary on June 27 at Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija.

The event was jointly celebrated with the Artillery Foundation of the Philippines Inc. which honored the long line of PA cannoneers who have defined the legacy of the AAR, also known for its moniker "King of Battle." 

(PNA)