Army feels fuel price pinch, too

MANILA, Philippine — The skyrocketing price of fuel has prompted the Philippine Army to convert 18 of its light-armored “Scorpion” tanks from gasoline to diesel engines.

The upgrade will cost about P200 million, an Army spokesperson said.

“They will be repowered, they will be diesel-powered,” said Colonel Antonio Parlade Jr. “They will have new engines—from gasoline to diesel.”

Asked if the continuing rise in fuel prices was a big consideration in the conversion, Parlade said, “Palagay ko (I think so),” but added that the upgrade had long been planned but was put on hold.

The project was revived last week and a technical working group was formed after the Department of National Defense gave the go-signal for its implementation.

Parlade said the original proposal called for the conversion of 12 Scorpion tanks for P200 million, while the new proposal would cover 12 tanks and six others that are non-operational that would be given new engines, for the same amount.

“They are needed specially in central Mindanao. And they are aging so it is better if they are upgraded. Anyway we have an available budget,” Parlade said.

He said the tanks were acquired in the 1960s so their engines had reached their maximum life span.

The Scorpion tanks were designed by and for the British Army as reconnaissance vehicles ahead of the main tank units.

Introduced in 1973, Scorpion tanks were used by the British Army until 1994. The Philippine Army utilizes the tanks for its weaponry in support of the infantry.