Military gets 27,300 new M4 assault rifles

Armed Forces of the Philippines. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Thursday received 27, 300 units of  5.56mm M4 rifles as part of modernizing the military’s firepower capability.

President Benigno Aquino III led the distribution of assault rifles to the Philippine Army and Philippine Marine Corps during a turnover ceremony at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.

“These rifles were delivered in two batches last July 5 with 100 units and July 31 with 27,200 units,” said Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Lieutenant General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr.

He said the procurement of the brand new assault rifles is part of the modernization program of the armed forces under the joint Philippine Army and Philippine Marine Corps Assault Rifle Acquisition Project by the government.

Under this project, the AFP will receive a total of 50,629 units of M4 rifles, he added.

He said the remaining rifles would be distributed early next year.

According to him, the 5.56mm M4 rifle would supplement and replace the early models of M-16 and M-16A1 rifle, majority of which dated back to the Vietnam War, and are in poor condition and in bad need of repair or replacement.

“The acquisition will significantly contribute to the development and transformation of the AFP into a multi-mission-oriented force, capable of effectively addressing both internal and external threats,” he said.