According to the Philippine News Agency, 20 Sabrah light tanks from Elbit Systems will soon be delivered to the Philippine Army this year
This addition is expected to significantly enhance the country's armor capabilities
According to Colonel Xerxes Trinidad, spokesman for PA
these armored vehicles are part of the Army's Light Tank Acquisition Project under Horizon Two of the Revised Armed Forces Modernization Program
In another announcement, another 10 Sabrah PANDUR II all-wheel-drive version, scheduled for delivery in 2023
Trinidad said these vehicles will comprise the planned 1st Tank Battalion of the PA Armor Division
"These armored vehicles are mounted with 105mm cannons"
As to their organization, the tanks will be organic to the proposed activation of 1st Tank Battalion of the Armor Division
to compose the first modern light tank fleet of the PA," he said
The Sabrah Ascod and Pandur light tanks are the first modern tanks the Philippine Army will have postwar era
The Sabrah turret design benefits from the reference of Elbit Systems and the IDF “Merkava” Directorate “MANTAK” combat-proven Armored Vehicles
Sabrah is built on the tracked ASCOD armored fighting vehicle family platform
that is manufactured by General Dynamics European Land Systems Santa Barbara from Spain
The 30-ton “Sabrah” light-tank solution provides a unique combination of powerful fire capacity and high maneuverability
It will be equipped with a 105mm turret and a range of the Company’s subsystems
including electro-optical sights, fire control systems, TORCH-XTM battle management systems
E-LynXTM software-defined radio systems, and life support systems
Elbit’s C4 system, including the Battle Management System (BMS)
and the Combat NG fire control and command system are already in service in the Philippine army’s inventory
Each side of the turret is equipped with a bank of four smoke grenade dischargers
The turret drive is fully electric with elevation and traverse stabilization
The Sabrah 105 mm gun system is fitted with an automatic loading system with 12 rounds ready to fire
It has an effective firing range of 3,600m with a rate of fire of 6 rounds per minute
The vehicle carries a total of 36 ammunition, with 24 rounds stored in the hull
The ASCOD series of armored fighting vehicles has many variants
In Spanish service, the vehicle is called “Pizarro”, while the Austrian version is called “Ulan”
The ASCOD vehicle was chosen by the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence as the common base platform on which the Ajax would be developed
The Griffin is a armored fighting vehicle proposed for U.S. Army in Mobile Protected Fire power program
and Optionally-Manned Fighting Vehicle program as M2/M3 Bradley replacement