CAPAS, Tarlac — The Philippine Army said it is expecting 114 armored vehicles from the United States this November.
Major Filemon Tan, public affairs office of the Mechanized Infantry Division based at Camp O’Donnell, said the used vehicles from the US Army will be an addition to the 343 armored assets in the Army inventory.
“If these arrive we will go on full strength. The needs of the battalions will be filled up,” he said.
Tan said the vehicles are in good condition but will undergo tests before deployment.
The vehicles will be acquired from the United States as Excess Defense Article.
Although the assets are for free, Filemon said the transport cost would be shouldered by the Philippines and will undergo through bidding process.
“Bini-bid pa po yan. Kami lang yung tatanggap pero kung papaano siya makakarating dito ay Department of National Defense na ang magtatrabaho,” he said.
The armored personnel carriers from the US will be stripped of their weapons but when the vehicles arrive, these will be equipped with cal .50 heavy machine guns.