DBM approves funds for Marine Corps mortars

Philippine Marines patrol the highway at Barangay Bubong Madaya, Marawi City, which saw the main battles between government troops and the Islamic State-inspired Maute terrorist group. (File photo by DIVINA M. SUSON / Inquirer Mindanao)

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of National Defense can now proceed with its acquisition of 120-mm mortars for the Marine Corps after the Department of Budget Management approved funds for the procurement.

The procurement of the 120mm mortars is the third and final phase of the Navy’s mortar acquisition project.

The Navy’s acquisition project started in 2019 with the procurement of several units of 60-mm mortars through the United States Foreign Military Sales Program and 30 units of 81-mm mortars from Spain’s Expal Systems for P175.7 million.

The total budget set aside was P694.45 million.

—JEANNETTE I. ANDRADE

RELATED STORY

Funding for 2 PH Navy corvettes released