(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — Members of the Philippine military have successfully completed their initial training in operating, driving, and maintaining the “ASCOD 2 Sabrah” light tanks at Camp O’Donnell, located on Luzon Island.
This announcement came from General Dynamics European Land Systems-Santa Barbara Sistemas (GDELS-SBS), a subsidiary of GDELS which supplied the ASCOD 2 Sabrah light tanks to the Philippine military, in cooperation with the Israeli defense company, Elbit Systems,
The training was conducted for members of the First Tank Battalion, First Armored Division of the Philippine Army between January 29 and February 9, and also involved the maintenance units.
It included 28 drivers, 15 commanders, and army mechanics.
In November last year, the Philippines reportedly received its second batch of ASCOD 2 “Sabrah” light tanks purchased from the defense company GDELS-SBS in cooperation with Elbit Systems.
The delivery of this second batch, consisting of nine light tanks manufactured by the Israeli defense company, arrived at Subic Bay for delivery to the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
In June 2021, the Philippine and Israeli governments signed a contract to acquire more than 20 “Sabrah” light tanks in two variants, tracked and wheeled, along with other support vehicles, valued at approximately $172 million (RM774 million).
Israel is obligated to deliver all the light tanks in both variants to the Philippines within three years.
The wheeled variant of the “Sabrah” light tank is based on the Pandur II 8×8 IFV.
All light tanks received by the Philippines, whether wheeled or tracked, will be equipped with a 105mm cannon manufactured by Elbit Systems and a Battle Management System by C4I Tadiran, also from Israel.
GDELS-SBS and Elbit Systems successfully outbid other international defense companies to win the contract for the Philippine military’s light tanks.
The ASCOD 2 Sabrah weighs around 30 tons and features modular design. It is fitted with a 105mm cannon suitable for use in both the tracked and wheeled variants of the “Sabrah” light tanks.
The “Sabrah” light tanks are armored up to NATO STANAG 4569 Level 4 protection standards.
They can also be integrated with active defense systems and are equipped with the “Torch-X” Battle Management System developed by Elbit Systems.
Furthermore, these light tanks feature Electro-Optical systems, fire control systems, and various other electronic systems.
Over recent years, the Philippines has emerged as a major market for Israeli defense companies in Southeast Asia.
In addition to the “Sabrah” light tanks, the Philippines also possesses several Israeli-made weapons systems, including the ATMOS 155mm mobile howitzer, “Shaldag Mk V” fast patrol boats, “Hermes” MALE (Medium Altitude Long Endurance) drones, among others.
The Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines, Ilan Fluss, has stated that the defense relationship between Manila and Tel Aviv is robust, highlighted by the Philippines’ acquisition of several defense systems.
Fluss expressed Israel’s desire to further strengthen and deepen defense relations between the two countries.
“Israel has become a trusted and reliable partner to the Philippines, especially in the areas of defense and security,” he said. Israel also has military advisors stationed in the Philippines. — DSA