(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — The First Tank Battalion (MASIKAN) of the Philippine Armed Forces conducted live-fire training with ASCOD 2 Sabrah light tanks equipped with 105mm cannons.
The training, held from July 8 to 11, took place at Camp Ernesto Ravina Air Base (CERAB).
The First Tank Battalion’s Facebook account posted several images from the training, emphasizing its importance for maintaining combat readiness and operational effectiveness.
The live-fire exercise provided its personnel with valuable experience through a series of realistic combat scenarios designed to test and enhance the accuracy and firepower of the Philippine Army’s 105mm Sabrah light tanks.
The training session was overseen by Armor Division Commander Major General Pedro C. Balisi Jr., who underscored the importance of such exercises in maintaining the highest military standards and readiness.
In June 2021, the Philippine government and Israel signed a contract to acquire over 20 ASCOD 2 Sabrah light tanks in both tracked and wheeled variants, along with other support vehicles, valued at approximately $172 million.
Israel is required to deliver all these light tanks to the Philippines within three years.
The wheeled variant of the Sabrah light tank is based on the Pandur 8×8 IFV.
All light tanks, whether wheeled or tracked, received by the Philippines will be equipped with 105mm cannons from Elbit Systems and a Battle Management System from C4I Tadiran, also of Israel.
General Dynamics European Land Systems-Santa Barbara Sistemas (GDELS-SBS) and Israel’s Elbit Systems supplied the ASCOD 2 Sabrah light tanks to the Philippine military.
These companies won the contract, outperforming other international defense firms.
The ASCOD 2 Sabrah tank weighs around 30 tons and features modular characteristics.
It is fitted with a 105mm cannon suitable for both tracked and wheeled variants and provides armor protection up to NATO STANAG 4569 Level 4.
The tank can integrate active defense systems and is equipped with the “Torch-X” Battle Management System from Elbit Systems, as well as electro-optical systems, fire control systems, and various other electronic systems.
In November last year, the Philippines reportedly received the second batch of ASCOD 2 Sabrah light tanks from GDELS-SBS and Elbit Systems.
This batch, consisting of nine Israeli-made light tanks, arrived at Subic port for delivery to the Philippine Armed Forces.
Over the past few years, the Philippines has become one of the primary markets for Israeli defense companies in Southeast Asia.
In addition to the Sabrah light tanks, the Philippines also possesses other Israeli-made weapon systems such as the ATMOS 155mm self-propelled howitzer developed by Elbit Systems, “Shaldag Mk V” fast attack boats, “Hermes” MALE (Medium Altitude Long Endurance) drones, and more.
Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines Ilan Fluss stated that defense relations between Manila and Tel Aviv have strengthened through the acquisition of various defense systems by the Philippines.
Fluss also expressed Israel’s desire to deepen and strengthen defense ties between the two countries.
“Israel has been a trusted and reliable partner for the Philippines, especially in defense and security,” he said. Israel also has military advisors stationed in the Philippines. — DSA