The Philippine Army (PA) on Thursday said the US-donated “improved target acquisition system” (ITAS) has given it a capability similar to those being provided by anti-tank guided missile systems (ATGMs).<\/p>\n
“It has a similar capability as that of the ATGMS to deny possible threats sighted on the ground,” said Army spokesperson, Col. Xerxes Trinidad, in a message when asked whether the Army has existing ATGMs or these are in the procurement pipeline.<\/p>\n
He added that the ITAS uses tube-launched optically tracked, wire-guided (TOW) missiles to defeat threats on the battlefield.<\/p>\n
ATGMs are weapons designed to destroy tanks, armored transports, and other armored fighting vehicles.<\/p>\n
These ITAS are part of a USD18 million precision-guided munition package given by the US government to the Armed Forces of the Philippines in late 2020.<\/p>\n
Some of the weapons handed over include 100 TOW-2A missiles, 12 ITAS, 24 Mark-82 bombs, and associated guidance kits to convert these into smart bombs.<\/p>\n
Trinidad said the ITAS is “already ready for distribution to our field units”.<\/p>\n
Also in the pipeline for the PA is the so-called “medium multipurpose assault weapon (MMAW), he added.<\/p>\n
“What we have in the pipeline for the Army capability enhancement program is the procurement of MMAW,” Trinidad said.<\/p>\n
When asked to describe what type of weapon an MMAW is, Trinidad said it is similar to a recoilless rifle (RR) and can be used to defeat different threats like personnel, vehicles, and bunkers depending on the ammunition used. An RR is a lightweight artillery system or man-portable launcher.<\/p>\n
“Similar to our 90RR or the Carl Gustav weapon, but more advanced that can easily be deployed in the field by the foot soldiers,” he added. (PNA)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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