DND starts procurement of Tank Gunnery Simulator for the Philippine Army

The Department of National Defense (DND) has started the procurement phase of the Tank Gunnery Simulator Acquisition Project for the Philippine Army.

This is in line with the improvements being made on the capability of armor units, specifically with the Mechanized Infantry Division. 

With the Philippine Army expecting new light tanks coming in soon, they now have more reason to get a tank gunnery simulator to train future tank crew while enhancing their skills without the need to actually use the tanks to train.

An example of what appears to be a gunner station simulation system, mocking a tank turret. Photo taken from KMW website.

An example of the interior of a gunner station for the gunner and commander. It needs to be a mock up of what the PA's tank turret would be.

Overview:

With the Philippine Army planning to acquire light tanks as part of the Horizon 2 phase of the Revised AFP Modernization Program, they also included the need for a tank gunnery simulator to help train armor crew on tank operations and application in combat scenarios.

Originally the plan was to acquire 2 tank gunnery simulators with a budget of Php36.2 million. 1 system each for a wheeled and tracked tank, both simulating a tank with a 105mm gun turret.

But it appears that the budget is not enough for 2 systems (another sign of lack of efforts to research properly or make use of Request for Information or Pricing before making a proposal). 

So only 1 system will be acquired, although MaxDefense believes that there could be future requirements to acquire more to allow training as a small unit instead of just a solitary tank.

Should the Notice to Proceed be released within the year, the simulator should be delivered within 9 months, most likely around mid or late 2020. This is still earlier than the tanks itself which usually take more than a year to deliver.

Realism of graphics is also important to simulate actual terrain and conditions. Photo taken from Rhinemetall Defense.

What is a Tank Gunnery Simulator?

According to the technical specifications of the project, as I quote:

A "Tank Gunnery Simulator is a portable gunnery and crew simulator for 105 mm light tank which will be the premier training tool for live precision gunnery and combat training for Armor Personnel. It simulates all tank gunnery operational modes via mockup cabin that replicates all the system controls of a 105 mm light tank." 

"It basically has crew gunnery station where commander and gunner interact with each other in order to properly execute target acquisition in a given scenario."

"It has driver station which can simulate tracked or wheeled platform allowing the entire crew to feel the ride of a tank depending on what terrain is given in the exercise scenario."

"It has Instructor station where instructor operates a preset scenario and can see the performance of the students. Instructor station can allow exercise debrief through replaying the training scenario allowing everyone to see how the students perform in the exercise. Radio communications among the students can also be replayed through its voice recorder capability in order to hear and review the students’ voice command during the exercise." 

The instructor's station will also have the control panels to set the simulation and training conditions while also have monitors where the instructor/system operators can also see what's happening inside the gunner and driver stations, but also see what the trainees are looking at.

"All the required hardware and software; generator; air condition and cooling system; generator; electrical and power source needed for the tank simulator to be operational from the start of the delivery should be provided by the proponents."

The tank gunnery simulator will be a full motion type, allowing the simulation of terrain as shown on the simulation.

It will have a gunner station for the gunner and commander, a driver station as well as an instructor's station.  

The driver station (top) simulates the driving of the vehicle platform, while the gunner station (above) simulates the loading, aiming, firing of the gun by the tank's gunner, as well as commanding the vehicle and providing instructions to the team by the tank's commander. Credits to original sources of photos.

MaxDefense's Opinion:

Since the tank gunnery simulator is dependent on the model of tank/s the Philippine Army will be procuring, MaxDefense believes that this should have been packaged together with the Light Tank Acquisition Project rather than separating it.

In a bidding, the DND or Philippine Army cannot specify the tank model that they are after especially when it is not finally decided yet.

The Pre-Bid Conference is where we believe the proponents will be informed of selected Light Tank model to use as basis.

This is important since the tanks offered to the PA use different platform vehicled and different turrets. 

On the turret alone, the layout, controls, and performance between those made by Oto Melara and CMI Defence Cockerill differ from each other. 

Driver layouts also differ from each vehicle platform. Thats why its interesting to see how a single tank simulator can simulate 2 different platforms (tracked and wheeled). For example, how can it simulate a ASCOD 2 and a Pandur 2 vehicles?

The software is also the important factor. How good is the realism of the simulation software and responsiveness. This would be similar to using software engines similar to those used by video games that includes realistic render of terrain, structures and vehicles. The output as well, through the video screens must consider the latest video and video processing technology.

 It would be best if the software was made to consider Philippine terrain, or if better, match it to certain real locations in the Philippines rather than a software that simulates the European terrain.

It would be best also if the training system can simulate outside the turret like the one above.

Light Tank Acquisition Project Winner?

MaxDefense will discuss soon on which company was finally selected by the Philippine Army to supply the tracked and wheeled light tanks. We can now confirm that the selection was finally done, which we will discuss in a separate blog entry.

All MaxDefese can say for now is that the winning models were among those we mentioned in earlier blogs regarding the Light Tank Acquisition Project.

Meanwhile, all updates on the Tank Gunnery Simulator acquisition project will be made on our resource page for the project which we will release soon. Keep tabs on our resource portal for these updates.

Project Summary:

Tank Gunnery Simulator Acquisition Project

Note: Edited as of 07 August 2019.

* End User: Philippine Army (Mechanized Infantry Division)

* Quantity: 1 set plus associated items and services as part of package

* Modernization Phase: Horizon 2 Phase of RAFPMP

* Project ABC: Php36,200,000.00

* Acquisition Mode: Public Bidding

* Source of Funding: GAA Funded

* SARO Release: TBA

* Winning Proponent: TBA

* Product for Delivery: TBA, 270 days upon released of Notice to Proceed (NTP)

* Contract Price: TBA

* First post by MaxDefense: 22 September 2018

* MaxDefense Searching Hashtag: #PATankGunnerySimAcquisition

* Status: Bid process starting, bid submission on 29 August 2019.

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First edit and release: 07 August 2019
Copyright MaxDefense Philippines

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Philippine Army to receive 12 more upgraded M113A2 with Elbit 12.7mm RCWS this June

As part of the Department of National Defense's (DND) deal with Israel's Elbit Systems Land & C4I, the Philippine Army's Mechanized Infantry Division (MID) would be receiving another batch of upgraded M113A2 tracked armored personnel carriers (APC) this June 2019, fitted with the Elbit Systems 12.7mm overhead remote controlled weapon stations (ORCWS).

12 newly rehabilitated and upgraded M113A2 tracked APCs equipped with Elbit's 12.7mm ORCWS. Photo shared exclusively to MaxDefense by a source.

The deal is part of the Philippine Army's M113 Firepower Upgrade Project, which is a Horizon 1 Phase 2nd List Project of the Revised AFP Modernization Program. The projects aims to deliver the upgrade for 44 M113A2 tracked armored personnel carriers that include installation of the Elbit Systems 12.7mm ORCWS and other systems, and conversion of 5 M113A2 to armored mortar carriers and installation of the Soltam Cardom 81mm Recoil Mortar System.

More details can be found on an earlier blog entry posted specifically for this project, which can be accessed through the link below:

"Elbit Systems Wins Contract to Upgrade Philippine Army M113A2 with RCWS and Mortars" - first posted on 14 June 2018

For this batch for delivery this June 2019, twelve (12) units are programmed. These are former US Army M113A2 tracked APCs that underwent rehabilitation works with the Mechanized Infantry Division's maintenance battalion, and were modified to allow the installation of Elbit Systems' 12.7mm ORCWS on the commander's hatch, replacing the manually-operated armored open mount usually found on standard PA M113s.

M113A2s armed with the 12.7mm ORCWS will be undergoing Technical Inspection and Acceptance Tests prior to handover to the Philippine Army. Photo exclusively shared by a MaxDefense source.

Aside from up-arming, these vehicles were also installed with Elbit Systems' Combat NG Battlefield Management System (BMS) allowing them to be integrated into a network with other similarly-equipped units of the Philippine Army.

While the electronic and mechanical systems like the weapon mounts and computers were all imported from Elbit Systems, the rehabilitation and modifications of the M113s, as well as the installation works of the RCWS and computer systems were all made by the Mechanized Infantry Division with technical assistance provided by Elbit Systems. This means the MID now has the know-how and capability to not just install, but also conduct maintenance works of these complicated systems.

Originally, Elbit Systems was supposed to deliver 17 units for the first batch, but the Philippine Army requested for an initial 5 units to be delivered earlier in April 2019 to allow the vehicles to be deployed to Jolo, Sulu before the 2019 Mid Term Elections last May.

The examples above are the first batch of M113A2s that received the new 12.7mm ORCWS and vehicle upgrades. They were set to Sulu last May 2019 to provide security during the 2019 Mid Term Elections. Photo shared to MaxDefense by a community member who wish to remain anonymous.

.

The vehicles underwent the Technical Inspection and Acceptance Tests a few days ago. Once they are rated by the project's Technical Inspection and Acceptance Committee (TIAC) as passed, the vehicles will then be prepared for official hand-over to the Mechanized Infantry Division.

This would mark the delivery of a total of 17 upgraded vehicles with the 12.7mm ORCWS under this M113 Firepower Upgrade Project.

In total, the Philippine Army already has 11 units of M113A2 tracked armored personnel carriers equipped with a 12.7mm RCWS system (if one would include the delivery made by Elbit Systems in a separate project in 2016), and the delivery of 12 more will make the total go up to 23 units.

The difference between the M113A2 tracked APCs that received upgrades to install 12.7mm RCWS:
Left photo shows those delivered by Elbit Systems in 2016 using a ex-Belgian Army M113A2+ and an earlier model variant of Elbit's 12.7mm ORCWS. The right shows a US-made M113A2 equipped with the latest variant of Elbit's 12.7mm ORCWS. Photo provided by a community member based on photos from other sources.

MaxDefense was informed that aside from the 12 units for delivery this June, another batch of upgraded M113s are scheduled for acceptance tests and hand-over this coming July 2019, and it would include some of the converted Armored Mortar Carriers armed with the Soltam Cardom 81mm Recoil Mortar System.

Rehabilitation, upgrade and installation works were all done in MID's facility in Camp O'Donnell in Tarlac, allowing MID to gain experience in the process. Photo shared exclusively to MaxDefense by a source form the PA.

More updates will be coming in probably by July once the next batch of deliveries are ready. Meanwhile, our readers can also access our resource portal for this project which can be found on the link below:

"M113 Firepower Upgrade Project (Horizon 1) of the Philippine Army" - continuous updates ongoing.


Project Summary:


M113 Firepower Upgrade Project

Note: Edited as of 22 June 2019.

* End User: Philippine Army (Mechanized Infantry Division)

* Quantity: to upgrade 49 M113 tracked APCs.

* Modernization Phase: Horizon 1 2nd List Projects of RAFPMP

* Project ABC: Php1,051,650,000.00

* Acquisition Mode: Government-to-Government (G2G) Procurement with the Israel Ministry of Defense-SIBAT

* Source of Funding: GAA Funds through AFP Modernization Program Trust Fund, to be paid via Multi-Year Obligatory Allocations (MYOA).

* SARO Release: SARO-BMB-D-17-0022354 dated 28 November 2017 worth Php1,051,650,000.00 (full amount), released 29 November 2017.

* Winning Proponent: Elbit Systems Land & C4I (Israel)

* Product for Delivery:
    - Modification of 49 M113A2 tracked APCs to accommodate upgrade
    - Upgrade of 44 M113A2 with installation of Elbit Systems 12.7mm ORCWS and other systems
    - Upgrade of 5 M113A2 with conversion to Armored Mortar Carrier with the Soltam Cardom 81mm Recoil Mortar System

* Contract Price: Php1,051,650,000.00

* First post by MaxDefense: 31 October 2016

* MaxDefense Searching Hashtag: #PAM113FirepowerUpgrade

* Status: Delivery ongoing, 1st batch of 5 units delivered April 2019, 2nd batch of 12 units for delivery June 2019.

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First edit and release: 22 June 2019
Copyright MaxDefense Philippines

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Philippine Army receives first batch of upgraded M113A2 RCWS-equipped APC from Elbit Systems

Before everything, MaxDefense would like to thank its community member, Gobi Castle and in part by Buenabe June for raising this to our attention after raising it in our partner page, Philippine Defense Discussions @ Facebook.

On 11 May 2019, GMA News' reporter Raffy Tima posted a report and an accompanying video from his Twitter account on the deployment of additional Philippine Army (PA) assets in Jolo, Sulu to beef up security before the upcoming Mid-Term Elections this coming Monday 13 May 2019.

Cropped from GMA's Raffy Tima's video, showing one of the Philippine Army's M113A2 APC with RCWS disembarking on its own from the Philippine Navy's Bacolod City-class LSV BRP Bacolod City (LS-550).

The video shows one of five M113A2 armored personnel carriers equipped with a 12.7mm machine gun on a remote controlled weapon station (RCWS) as it disembarks from the Philippine Navy Bacolod City-class logistics support vessel BRP Bacolod City (LS-550) . A corresponding photo was also posted by GMA News as profile photo of their report in their Facebook page.

The said photo shows that there are slight differences with the Philippine Army's existing fleet of RCWS-armed M113A2 APCs, and the units that arrived in Jolo.

Upon closer inspection, and upon checking with our sources, it was confirmed that the Philippine Army is indeed in possession of additional M113A2 APCs with RCWS.



Overview:

In 2017, the Department of National Defense (DND) awarded a contract worth Php1.051 billion with Israel's Elbit Systems Land & C4I for the M113 APC Firepower Upgrade Project of the Philippine Army. 

This project involves the upgrade of 44 units of existing M113A2 armored personnel carriers of the Mechanized Infantry Division by equipping them with a new Remote Controlled Weapon Station (RCWS), and converting 5 existing M113A2 APCs to Armored Mortar Carriers. Both upgrades will include installation of battlefield computers connected to a networked system as part of the PA's C4ISTAR system.

Information received by MaxDefense is that Elbit will supply the already proven Dragon Overhead Remote Controlled Weapon Station (ORCWS) mounted with a 12.7mm heavy machine gun, which already proved its worth during the Battle of Marawi in 2017, and in other skirmishes on operations against terrorists groups.

More information can be read from MaxDefense's previous, more comprehensive blog regarding the project which can be found on the link below:

"Elbit Systems Wins Contract to Upgrade Philippine Army M113A2 with RCWS and Mortars" - first posted on 14 June 2018


Elbit Systems will deliver the RCWS to the Philippines, and installation and modifications on the existing M113A2 platforms will be done in the Philippines by a combined team from Elbit Systems and Philippine Army's Mechanized Infantry Division.

This set-up allows the MID's own maintenance personnel to be familiar with the installation and the entire RCWS system, enabling them to properly identify and conduct maintenance works without relying on Elbit's personnel.



Initial Delivery Confirmed:

MaxDefense previously mentioned in our past blog entry that Elbit Systems will deliver a first batch of around 19 vehicles by February 2019.

But this appears to have been moved, and on March 2019, MaxDefense received information that only 17 will be delivered starting April 2019. Originally some of the vehicles were supposed to be demonstrated to Pres. Duterte during the Philippine Army's anniversary in March 2019, but the plan was shelved.

With the photo of the M113A2 with RCWS in Jolo coming out and observations made by community members, we double-checked our sources just now.

It appears that Elbit Systems was able to deliver the first five (5) units of upgraded M113A2 with Dragon 12.7mm ORCWS only on the last week of April 2019, which were formally accepted by the Mechanized Infantry Division.

The M113A2 APCs with RCWS delivered by the Philippine Navy to Jolo, all five units feature the same new Elbit Dragon ORCWS mounts. The raised mount can also be seen at this angle.
Photo shared by a MaxDefense contributor who wish to remain anonymous.

Twelve (12) other units, which were part of the 17 units for first batch delivery, will be handed-over to the Mechanized Infantry Division this coming June 2019.

Elbit Systems will deliver the rest of the 27 units with RCWS in 2 more batches, with all expected to be delivered to the PA MID before the end of 2019.

Observations:

Among those observed in the units that were deployed to Jolo was the positioning of the RCWS. Viewed from the front, the RCWS is position in the center where the cupola is located. The position is different on those delivered by Elbit Systems a few years ago, which are located on the right side of the armored vehicle.

Here is a side-by-side photo showing the (left) ex-Belgian M113A2+ APC armed with the Elbit Dragon ORCWS, and (right) the ex-US Army M113A2 APC armed with the updated Elbit Dragon OCRWS. It is apparent here that the ex-Belgian vehicles have their RCWS off-center to the right, while the ex-US Army vehicles have the RCWS in a more centered position. Side by side photo posted by Buenabe June in Philippine Defense Discussion @ Facebook page, using screengrab from Raffy Tima's Twitter video.

This is due to the position of cupola in the different M113s in service with the Philippine Army. The ones delivered by Elbit Systems a few years ago were former Belgian Land Component (Belgian Army) M113A2 vehicles, wherein the cupolas are located off-center towards the right of the vehicle based on Belgium's requirements, to allow for an extra Commander's cupola just behind the driver's hatch. 

The current M113A2s being upgrade by Elbit Systems are former US Army models, whose cupolas are centered vis-a-vis the vehicle's width, as they do not have the extra Commander's cupola found on Belgian examples.

The position of RCWS in the 2 different M113A2 vehicles are apparent in these photos, with the top photo showing the ex-US Army variant with the RCWS in the center, and the ex-Belgian variant with the RCWS on the right side. The ex-US Army example doesn't have an extra Commander's hatch behind the driver's hatch, while the ex-Belgian model has an extra Commander's hatch found just behind the driver's hatch. Top photo from Raffy Tima's video, while bottom photo taken from the late John Chua's collection.

Another observation was that the RCWS delivered then and now look different.

Upon checking with our sources, it appears that the RCWS delivered by Elbit Systems to the Philippine Army this year are updated models of the Dragon ORCWS, which uses a different body with improvements over the older variant.

The newer Dragon ORCWS variant does not have an ammunition chute, and were raised further from the vehicle by using a longer "neck", raising the gun's elevation several centimeters higher than the older variant.

The new variant are also painted olive drab, while the older RCWS are painted in black.

Based on our sources, the newer RCWS also uses a better, updated camera with better video and photo resolutions than the previous model, which means clearer videos for feeding the gun operator and connection to the information sharing network.

The ex-Belgian M113A2+ armored vehicles supplied by Elbit Systems also have smoke grenade launchers in the front end of the vehicle, whule ex-US Army M113A2 used for the current RCWS upgrade do not have them. It is also clear that Elbit's upgrade did not include the installation of smoke grenade launchers on these vehicles.

Only ex-US Army variants are among the 44 units being upgraded by Elbit Systems in the current project.

Another comparison photo showing: an ex-US Army M113A2 without a smoke grenade launcher and ex-Belgian M113A2+  with a smoke grenade launcher system (top), the ex-Belgian M113A2+ with RCWS and smoke grenade launchers (middle), and the ex-US Army M113A2 upon their presentation after arriving from the US a few years ago (bottom). The one in Jolo does not have a smoke grenade launching system, and are definitely among the ex-US Army units upgraded by Elbit recently. Photo shared and posted by Buenabe June in Philippine Defense Discussions @ Facebook.

Summary:


M113 APC Firepower Upgrade Project of the Philippine Army
End User: Philippine Army (Mechanized Infantry Division)

Quantity:   * Lot 1 - Supply and Installation of 12.7mm RCWS (44 nos.)
                   * Lot 2 - Upgrade to Armored Mortar Carrier (5 nos)


Modernization Phase: RA 10349 Revised AFP Modernization Program HORIZON 1 (2nd List)

Project ABC: Php1,051,650,000.00

Acquisition Mode: Negotiated Procurement (Government-to-Government) between Philippines DND and Israel Ministry of Defense
SARO Release: SARO-BMB-D-17-0022354, released 29 November 2017

Winning Proponent: Elbit Systems Land & C4I (Israel)

Contract Price: Php1,051,650,000.00

First post by MaxDefense: 31 July 2017




Additional Information for Curious Readers:

It was discussed above that former Belgian Land Component M113A2 armored vehicles have the weapon cupola on the right side of the vehicle due to the presence of an extra Commander's hatch behind the driver's hatch.

So why is it that in the ex-Belgian M113A+ vehicles converted by Elbit Systems into Infantry Fighting Vehicles by installing the Elbit UT25 unmanned turret with 25mm gun, the turret is at the center of the vehicle vis-a-vis the width?

It can be answered by the photo below.

Modifications were made on the M113A2+ roof to allow Elbit to install the UT25 unmanned turret at the center of the vehicle rather than on the original cupola's position at the right side. This also allowed them to remove the Commander's hatch behind the driver's hatch. The steel plating can be seen just below the unmanned turret, which replaced the roof section that was cut during the upgrade works.
Photo taken from the late John Chua's collection.

It shows that there appears to be a modification done by Elbit Systems on the M113A2+ armored vehicle, wherein they cut the vehicle's roof section and replaced it with a new plating that allowed for the turret to be installed at the center and removing the extra Commander's hatch in the process.

Upon checking with our sources, the said modification was confirmed too.

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Elbit Systems Wins Contract to Upgrade Philippine Army M113A2 with RCWS and Mortars

It has been six months since the Horizon 2 phase of the Revised AFP Modernization Program has started. But there are still several projects form the Horizon 1 phase that has yet to be implemented, or even started. In the Philippine Army alone, more than 5 projects are yet to be procured or awarded to a winning supplier, and there are several projects that are already awarded to a winning supplier but is still in the process of pre-delivery.

Despite some discussions we made on our Facebook page early this year, it appears that MaxDefense has not really made a blog entry yet regarding another M113 project that is underway for delivery - the Firepower Upgrade of EDA M113 Project under the Horizon 1 phase of the Revised AFP Modernization Program.

The Philippine Army is to upgrade 5 of its M113A2 into Self Propelled Mortar Carriers using the Soltam Cardom 81mm Mortar (above shows 120mm mortar variant), and 44 M113A2s upgraded with the Dragon 12.7mm RCWS.
Credits to owner of photo.

Project Background:

This project, which is a part of the so-called "2nd List of Horizon 1" that was formed by prioritizing Army projects using the budget originally intended for the delayed Shore Based Missile System (SBMS), involves the upgrade of the M113A2 tracked armoured personnel carriers received by the Philippine Army from US Military Assistance a few years ago.

The project has an allocated budget worth Php 1,051,650,000.00. The project proceeded as a Government-to-Government (G2G) project undertaken by the Philippines' Department of National Defense (DND) and Israel's Ministry of Defense, and was divided into 2 lots within a single project.

The M113 Firepower Upgrade is divided into 2 Lots with a total ABC of Php1,051,650.00.
Photo exclusively provided to MaxDefense by AFP sources.

Both project covering both lots was awarded last year to Israel's Elbit Systems Land & C4I, which has experience in projects with the Philippine Army especially in the M113 vehicle. After months of pre-contract negotiations, the contract between the DND and Elbit Systems was signed in January 2018, and the Letter of Credit was released a few months later, which effectively starts the project duration.

Prior to modernization of the M113A2 into RCWS-equipped vehicles, they were standard M113 APCs armed with a 50-calibre 12.7mm Browning M2 machine gun with either an armoured cupola protecting the front side only, or a 360-degree armoured cupola protection. Both are less suitable for high threat environment, while the machine guns are manually aimed and is not as accurate as those using advanced sights found on RCWS.
Credits to owner of photo.

Lot 1: Upgrade with 12.7mm Remote Controlled Weapons System:

The first lot involves the upgrade of 44 M113A2 tracked armoured personnel carriers by installing Elbit System's Dragon 12.7mm RCWS and Elbit's Combat NG Battlefield Management System (BMS) into the vehicles. This is the same RCWS and BMS installed by Elbit on the 6 M113A2+ that they delivered in a pre-Horizon 1 project covered by the older AFP Modernization Program covered by the 1995 RA 7898.

Elbit will supply the complete Dragon RCWS, and the Combat NG BMS. Installation works and any upgrade to the vehicles will be done in the Philippines by Elbit Systems in cooperation with the Philippine Army's Mechanized Infantry Division.

Close-up of one of the M113A2+ armed with the Elbit Dragon 12.7mm RCWS during field exercises last year. The same RCWS will installed on 44 other M113A2s under this project.
Photo owned by the late John Chua, which gave MaxDefense permission to use his photos in his hayday.

The Dragon RCWS mounts a 50-caliber Browning M2 12.7mm heavy machine gun, and has modern sighting systems which allows for improved surveillance and targeting, as well as day and night capability in providing fire support to dismounted troops. The RCWS also allow the gunner to be inside the armoured vehicle which gives better protection from enemy fire, explosions or shrapnel.

Meanwhile, the Elbit Combat NG battlefield management system allows Command and Control capability, as well as integration with other units using the same system. These armoured vehicles won't be the first ones to have this capability, as the Philippine Army's M113A2+ tracked armoured vehicles are all equipped with the same BMS, as well as the Philippine Army and Philippine Marine Corps' recently delivered Soltam M-71 155mm towed howitzers. More units are expected to operate the same BMS in the near future.

Elbit's Combat NG BMS allows units Command and Control and integration of combat and support units to improve combat capabilities in the battlefield. These batch of M113s isn't the first one to have this capability, as the Philippine Army has been using the Combat NG since the delivery of Upgraded M113s by Elbit Systems a few years ago.
Photo taken from Elbit's website. 

Once the upgrades are complete, the Mechanized Infantry Division will have 50 of its M113s armed with the Dragon 12.7mm RCWS. This also gives more reason for the Philippine Army to continue using the same system in future upgrades of its armoured vehicles for commonality in terms of logistics and maintenance, training, and sustaining these kind of modern assets.

Four of the six M113A2+ armed with the Dragon 12.7mm RCWS. These were delivered by Elbit Systems Land & C4I under the Upgraded M113 acquisition project. The same RCWS will be installed by Elbit Systems on 44 other M113A2 vehicles of the Philippine Army.
Credits to the owner of the photo.

Lot 2: Upgrade to Self Propelled Mortars:

This lot involves the acquisition of 5 Soltam Cardom 81mm mortar systems, and the conversion of 5 of the Philippine Army's M113A2 into Self Propelled Mortars.

While this is not the first attempt by the Philippine Army to have such asset (previously they tried converting a FV432 Armoured Personnel Carrier into a Self Propelled Mortar by installing an 81mm mortar), this is the first time that actual Self Propelled Mortars will be made operational.

An example of an M113 Armoured Mortar Carrier armed with a Soltam Cardom mortar system. The Philippine Army will receive 5 upgraded and converted M113 AMC as part of this project.
Credits to owner of photo.

The Soltam Cardom 81mm mortar has a range of around 7 kilometers, and has a maximum rate of fire of 16 rounds per minute. It is ready to fire around 30 seconds from vehicle halting, and can immediately scoot after firing, which allows it to move away from counter-artillery fire.

While the mortars will be using the 81mm variant, the M113s will be able to shift to the larger Cardom 120mm mortars if the Philippine Army decides to make the shift. In our previous posts in our Facebook page, MaxDefense explained that the Mechanized Infantry Division wanted 120mm version of the Cardom, but was forced to go for the smaller 81mm variant due to current doctrines in the Philippine Army that only allows Artillery units to operate howitzers or mortars from 105mm caliber and up. MaxDefense was informed that the Philippine Army is already in the process of revising this to allow the MID to have 120mm mortars as well.

Like the RCWS-equipped units, the 5 M113A2 Self Propelled Mortars will also have the Elbit Combat NG battlefield management system,

5 Cardom-equipped M113 Mortar Carriers can equip a single Self Propelled Mortar battery, and will be used to train the Mechanized Infantry Division on the usage of self-propelled mortar carriers as the Philippine Army plans to acquire more units in the near future (to be discussed in future blogs).

More of the Cardom system can be seen in the video below. While the video mostly show the 120mm variant, the 81mm variant to be delivered by Elbit differs only on the mortar size being used. Everything else, from the

Delivery:

Based on information provided by our sources, and information gathered from other means, it appears that Elbit intends to deliver the completed vehicles in batches and is dependent on the facility's availability and the availability of people involved in the upgrade project.

The first batch of around 19 completed upgraded vehicles will be delivered by around February 2019. The 2 other batches will be delivered before mid-2019, although MaxDefense would rather not mention the breakdown of the said batches and the exact month of succeeding deliveries until a few months from then.

By the time all 49 upgraded M113A2s are delivered to the Philippine Army's Mechanized Infantry Division, it is expected that the next 2 projects to upgrade another batch of M113s are expected to be ready to proceed as well, especially that Pres. Duterte has finally approved the Horizon 2 Priority Projects. These 2 projects will be discussed by MaxDefense is another blog entry, and will probably be among the first projects of the Philippine Army to proceed under the recently approved Priority Projects of Horizon 2 phase.




Summary:

Firepower Upgrade of EDA M113s
* Lot 1 - Supply and Installation of 12.7mm RCWS (44 nos.)
* Lot 2 - Upgrade to Armored Mortar Carrier (5 nos)

End User: Philippine Army (Mechanized Infantry DIvision);
Modernization Phase: RA 10349 Revised AFP Modernization Program HORIZON 1 (2nd List);
ABC: Php1,051,650,000.00;
SARO Release: SARO-BMB-D-17-0022354, released 29 November 2017;
Winning Proponent: Elbit Systems Land & C4I (Israel) through Government-to-Government transaction between the Israeli and Philippine governments;
Contract Price: Php1,051,650,000.00;
First post by MaxDefense: 31 July 2017




MaxDefense will provide updates on this project, including updates in our Facebook page and in this blog entry. It is expected that this project will be complete by mid-2019, so we have 1 year more to wait until the completion of this project, if everything goes according to their program and plans.

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M113 Armored Vehicles Offered by Jordan for Donation to the Philippine Army

In one of our previous MaxDefense blog entries, we discussed that the Jordanian government has offered to provide the Philippine government two (2) Bell AH-1F Cobra attack helicopters for the Philippine Air Force (PAF). This is Jordan's help to the Philippines in its fight against ISIS-inspired terrorists like the Maute Group and Abu Sayyaf Group, among others, who are still not considered totally defeated despite the Philippine government's success in killing its leaders and most of its members during the months of fighting in the City of Marawi.

The deal involves the donation of the 2 helicopters, but the Philippine government needs to have the helicopters repaired and refurbished through the Jordanian Armed Forces, and the work, plus shipping to the Philippines, paid for by the Philippine government.

In addition, several MaxDefense @ Facebook posts we made mentioned about updates on the planned donation, wherein the PAF already identified, inspected and evaluated the 2 helicopters before Christmas last year, and that they gave a positive recommendation for its acquisition and funding. 

Recently, Pres. Duterte himself, in his speech in a bridge ceremonial opening in Mindoro Island last 03 April 2018, mentioned that the Kingdom of Jordan was providing the Philippine government "2 gifts" that are expensive. 

In our Facebook posts dated 04 April 2018, MaxDefense interpreted the "2 gifts" from Jordan to be the 2 Bell AH-1F Cobra helicopters that MaxDefense announced in August 2017. But after more information coming in from sources for the last few days, MaxDefense now believes that the interpretation we made earlier was incorrect, or more accurately, incomplete.

Instead, it appears that the 2 Cobra helicopters are just part of Jordan's Gift #1.

For more information on the Jordanian offer for 2 Bell AH-1F Cobra attack helicopters, please refer the blog entry below:

"Is the Philippine Air Force getting Bell AH-1 Cobra Attack Helicopters from Jordan?" - dated 21 August 2017.

So What is Gift #2?

Gift #2 is actually something else. And based on several information from sources, it appears that Jordan is also providing the Philippine government dozens of M113 tracked armored personnel carriers. 

They would also be donated, although the agreement involves the Philippine government paying for the repair and refurbishing done through the Jordanian Armed Forces, plus paying for the shipping of the armored vehicles to the Philippines.

One the RJA's upgraded M113A2, designated as the M113A2MK2-1J. It is fitted with a modified armored cupola to protect the gunner from enemy fire or explosion blasts. It also has an external carrying compartment which could allow it to carry other equipment especially those for the infantry units.
Credits to owner of photo.

No exact variant or quantities were provided to MaxDefense as of yet, but it is said to be, at least, more than 60 units, and MAY even include specialized models of the M113 family. These vehicles are said to have been part of those already stored by the RJA as they receives newer armored vehicles from other countries. The RJA is also a strong buyer of used armored vehicles, as they wisely use their limited resources to build up a strong Army in a very volatile region.

The Royal Jordanian Army operates more than a thousand M113A2 and the Jordan-upgraded M113A2MK-2J, including specialized variants like M577 Command Vehicles, M163 Vulcan Air Defense System vehicles, M901 TOW-mounted anti-tank vehicles, M106 Mortar Carriers, and M806 Armored Recovery Vehicles, and has in storage hundreds of M113s including M113A1 and M113A2 armored personnel carriers.

The M113s the Jordanians might be offering won't include the uparmored cupola, and external storage boxes, and other upgrades made by Jordan. Instead, it is expected that the armored vehicles will be in its basic form, probably without even the machine gun, and will be upgraded by the Jordanian government and paid for the by Philippine Army.
Credits to owner of photo.

Status of the Jordan's Offers:

While MaxDefense reported last time in its earlier blog entry that the 2 AH-1F Cobra attack helicopters were already recommended by the Philippine Air Force for acquisition, it is said that the Philippine Army is still finalizing its recommendation to proceed with the acquisition. 

In our previous blog entry, MaxDefense mentioned that the Philippine Air Force already recommended the acquisition of the 2 Bell AH-1F Cobra attack helicopters that Jordan was offering for donation. The M113 offer is tied-up to this, and would probably be accepted by the Philippine Army as well.

But MaxDefense was already given a heads-up by a source from the Mechanized Infantry Division saying that the Philippine Army is expected to push for the acquisition of the vehicles, and funding request from the national government. It appears that the funding for both the Cobras and the M113 from Jordan are not covered by the programmed Revised AFP Modernization Horizon 2 budget.

MaxDefense sources confirmed that accepting the offer from Jordan, despite the need to spend for repairs and refurbishing, is still a cheaper way of acquiring more assets to increase the armored vehicle fleet instead of buying new ones that are expensive. 

It is also expected that the Philippine Army will provide the 50-caliber machine guns, which would be acquired separately, or will be coming from Philippine Army stocks.

The Philippine Army, as mentioned by several sources, is in need of at least 300 M113 armored vehicles to allow the Mechanized Infantry Division to have sufficient vehicles to fill in its mechanized nfantry units. Currently, the Philippine Army has a little over 200 M113A1, M113A2 and M113A2+ in different variants, and many of the older M113A1 are in need of rehabilitation and refurbishing due to lack of it. Many of the newer M113s will be undergoing uparming as part of the Horizon 2 phase of the Revised AFP Modernization Program, which will be discussed by MaxDefense in future blog entries.

The Philippine Army is in need of at least 300 M113 tracked armored vehicles to fill the requirements of the Mechanized Infantry Division, and free up its wheeled 4x4 armored vehicles for other duties.
Photo taken from the collection of the late Mr. John Chua, who was a MaxDefense community member.

Since this not yet finalized deal between the Philippines and Jordan, there is still a chance that either or both offers from the Kingdom of Jordan may not proceed. This option is still possible, especially with Pres. Duterte at odds with the United Nations' Human Rights Commissioner, who happens to be a close relative of the King of Jordan, King Abdullah II. But MaxDefense is hopeful that cooler heads will prevail, and any odds between personalities won't affect the deal from happening.

Proceeding or not, MaxDefense is thankful for the Jordanian government's offer to assist the Philippine military in fighting the ISIS-inspired terrorists despite their resources tied up in fighting the terrorist threat in their own homeland.

More updates will be posted here @ MaxDefense as information starts coming in, however good or bad it may be.

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