The Philippine Army has started the procurement of man-portable air-defense systems (MANPADS) and 155mm self-propelled howitzers. On Friday, Jan. 16, Army spokesperson Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala said the future assets would be delivered to the two new Army units recently activated: the 2nd Air Defense Artillery Battery and 2nd Field Artillery Battery.

The Philippine artillery still operates U.S. WW2-era M114 155mm howitzers (Picture source: Francis Neri)

The two units of the Army Artillery Regiment were activated on Wednesday, Jan. 15, at Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija. The Air Defense Battery is envisioned to provide air defense for Army units, areas, and installations against unmanned aerial vehicles or remotely-piloted vehicles as well as fixed and rotary aircraft. The Field Artillery Battery, meanwhile, will help in troop maneuver to destroy, neutralize, and suppress the enemies through its fire support to maneuver units.

Presently, the units composing the Army Artillery Regiment are as follows:
1st Field Artillery Battalion
2nd Field Artillery Battalion
3rd Field Artillery Battalion
4th Field Artillery Battalion
5th Field Artillery Battalion
6th Field Artillery Battalion
7th Field Artillery Battalion
8th Field Artillery Battalion
9th Field Artillery Battalion
1st Multiple Launch Rocket System Battery (1MLRS Btry)
2nd Multiple Launch Rocket System Battery (2MLRS Btry)
1st Land-based Missile System Battery (1LBMS Btry)
1st Field Artillery Battery (1FA Btry)
2nd Field Artillery Battery (2FA Btry)
1st Air Defense Artillery Battery (1ADA Btry)
2nd Air Defense Artillery Battery (2ADA Btry)