Philippine Army challenged the capacity of 6 out of 28 newly acquired M113A2 (APC)

The Philippine Army plans to acquire the refurbished M113A2 Armored Personnel Carrier (APC), one of the leading military technologies of today.

Six of the twenty-eight APCs were shown to the media on Monday (September 21) at Camp O'Donnell in Capas, Tarlac.

The six refurbished APCs from Israel are equipped with remote controlled weapons.

This means, guns connected to the APCs, particularly the M2 heavy barrel caliber .50 heavy  machine gun, are operated using a controller handle.

These have the ability to fire at long ranges, both still and moving, day and night.

Unlike regular armored vehicles where soldiers are exposed, these APCs can house up to 11 soldiers. The gunner is located inside the vehicle itself.

The machine gun is being controlled by a remote control, and monitored using a day and night vision camera.

M113A2 can also detect hiding opponents with the use of a thermal scanner; and can run at a speed of 64 kph on land.

The Mechanized Infantry Division of the Philippine Army tried and challenged the capacity of the units.

Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said acquiring sophisticated and modern armored personnel carriers will help a lot in strengthening the country's internal defense security.

He is generally satisfied with the mobility and fighting capabilities of the APCs.

“This will be very effective in combat operations. We never had this kind of equipment before.”

According to Gazmin, the AFP modernization fund financed the procurement of the 28 APCs, which cost more than P800 million.

114 more APCs from US are expected to arrive in the country before the end of the year, as a part of the excess defense articles of the United States of America.