AFP’s future joint drills to utilize new assets for ‘muscle memory’

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Wednesday tested its brand new Israeli-made self-propelled howitzers during a live fire exercise at a coastal town in the northwestern tip of mainland Luzon close to Taiwan.

MANILA, Philippines — To gain “muscle memory” of its newly-acquired assets like the howitzers, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) intends to utilize them anew in the future joint drills of its service branches.

Col. Michael Logico, designated spokesperson of this year’s Ajex Dagitpa or AFP’s Joint Exercise Dagat-Langit-Lupa (land, air, and sea), said this during the drills’ closing ceremony in Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Friday.

Held from Nov. 6 to 17,  the Ajex Dagitpa practiced the interoperability of the Navy, Air Force, Army, and Special Operations Forces.

The highlight of this year’s exercise was the live fire exercise at the northwestern tip of mainland Luzon close to Taiwan to test the AFP’s brand new Israeli-made self-propelled howitzers.

“Some of these require muscle memory that we have not flexed before,” Logico said of AFP’s new assets in a chance interview after the event.

“Since these capabilities that we do acquire will require a certain period of training in order for us to be proficient in them, this is exactly where joint and combined training will come into focus,” he added.

Logico previously said the AFP is planning to conduct its future exercises in the littoral area or shorelines of the country, including those facing the West Philippine Sea.

“There are skills that we have to transition to in order for us to be proficient at external defense operations,” Logico also said.

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