AFP tests Israeli-made howitzers during drills in Ilocos Norte

Army troops prepare two Autonomous Truck Mounted Howitzer System guns during the drills at Camp Cape Bojeador in Burgos, Ilocos Norte. (Photo from the Public Information Office of the Armed Forces of the Philippines)

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

The AFP chief, General Romeo Brawner Jr., witnessed the live fire exercise as part of AJEX DAGIT-PA (AFP Joint Exercise Dagat-Langit-Lupa) at Camp Cape Bojeador in Burgos.

“AJEX is an exercise where the three components of the AFP exercise together in order for us to practice operating together,” Brawner said in an ambush interview.

Colonel Michael Logico, who is the designated spokesperson of this year’s drills, said in a press conference after the event that it was crucial to practice in the littoral or coastal areas “as we are moving towards more complex operations.”

“It is important we are doing it in northern Luzon, particularly because this is one of the areas we consider [having] a vital interest in our national security,” Logico said.

“The scenario was an intrusion from an aggressor from the sea. We have placed targets at a varied distance, west of Ilocos Norte.”

These targets were shot by the military’s howitzers, according to Logico.

One of the latest additions to the AFP arsenal, the self-propelled 155-millimeter artillery pieces —  called the Autonomous Truck-mounted Howitzer System (Atmos) — were delivered in 2022.

READ: New Israeli howitzers sent to Mindanao

Israeli-based firm Elbit Systems said the weapon system has a maximum range of up to 40 kilometers with a fire rate of eight rounds per minute for stationary indirect fire and six rounds in 110 seconds for a “shoot-and-scoot” scenario.

Also featured in the drills was the Soltam M-71, a 155-mm 39-caliber towed howitzer also manufactured by the Elbit.

READ: Israeli self-propelled howitzers delivered to PH Army

This activity is the highlight of the AJEX DAGIT-PA, which runs from Nov. 6 to 17.

It seeks to combine the Navy, Air Force, Army, and Special Operations Forces in exercises to improve their interoperability in land, air, and sea.

“The exercise tests and demonstrates the capability of AFP Major Services to conduct joint territorial defense operations and highlights the seamless integration of different military units and platforms,” the AFP said in a statement.

The acquisition of the artillery systems is in line with the second phase — the Horizon 2 — of the AFP modernization program.