Philippines to Acquire Additional 12 ATMOS 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzers from Israel

(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is reportedly set to acquire an additional 12 ATMOS 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzers (SPH) from Israel, complementing the 12 units already in service with the Southeast Asian nation.

If finalized, this acquisition will increase the total number of ATMOS 155mm SPH in the Philippine military’s arsenal to 24 units.

According to reports on the social media platform X, the AFP is expected to procure these additional ATMOS 155mm SPH units—manufactured by Soltam Systems, a subsidiary of Elbit Systems—using the country’s defense budget for this year.

Should this acquisition materialize, it will form part of the AFP’s ongoing modernization program, which currently faces budget adjustments, with only USD 595 million of its USD 1.275 billion defense allocation for 2025 confirmed.

The AFP began receiving its initial batch of ATMOS 155mm/52cal howitzers in 2021, following a procurement contract signed a year earlier.

The Philippines had previously signed an agreement with Israel to acquire between 12 and 15 ATMOS 155mm/52cal SPH units under the Horizon 2 phase of its military modernization program, valued at RM 211 million (USD 47 million).

Weighing 23,000 kg, the ATMOS 155mm/52cal howitzer is capable of striking targets at a range of 41 km using Extended Range Full Bore Base Bleed (ERFB-BB) projectiles.

The Israeli-made SPH system can be operated by a crew of four to six personnel, including two loaders.

For the Philippine Army, the ATMOS 155mm/52cal SPH is mounted on MAN trucks, chosen for their availability and compatibility in the country.

The Royal Thai Army also operates the Soltam ATMOS 155mm/39cal system.

The AFP is one of the key Southeast Asian customers of Israeli defense systems, with all branches of the Philippine military utilizing various equipment developed by Israeli defense firms.

Additionally, Israeli military advisors are actively involved in training Philippine security and special forces units.

The acquisition of ATMOS 155mm/52cal SPH from Elbit Systems Land further strengthens the already close military ties between the Philippines and Israel.

In March last year, the Philippine Army conducted live-fire exercises using the ATMOS 155mm/52cal SPH as part of the “Katihan” Combined Arms Training at Camp O’Donnell.

The 10th Field Artillery Battalion, also known as “Rolling Thunder”, was the first unit to operate the Philippine Army’s ATMOS 155mm/52cal SPH.

Beyond the Philippines, the Soltam ATMOS 155mm/52cal SPH is also in service with Azerbaijan, Botswana, Denmark, Cameroon, Colombia, Uganda, and Zambia.

Additionally, the Philippine Army has procured M113 Armored Mortar Carriers, which are equipped with the Soltam CARDOM recoil mortar system.

In 2019, the Philippines signed an agreement with Elbit Systems for the acquisition of 15 self-propelled mortar systems, each armed with a 120mm mortar.

— DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA