Philippine Army takes part in first live firing exercises with SPH ATMOS 155mm.

The Philippine Army participated for the first time in live fire drills utilizing the latest addition to its arsenal, the 155mm Autonomous Truck Mounted Howitzer System (ATMOS), along with the 105mm M119 Howitzer. This event was a segment of the "Katihan" Combined Arms Training Exercise (CATEX), phase 2, conducted at Camp O'Donnell on Friday, March 15.
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The Philippine Army participated in live fire drills utilizing the latest addition to its arsenal, the 155mm ATMOS 2000. (Picture source: MB)

The "Katihan" CATEX represents a significant stride as the first large-scale operation aimed at enhancing the army's overall operational capability and further solidifying a robust national defense framework.

The ATMOS 2000, a truck-mounted, wheel-based self-propelled howitzer system, has been designed and manufactured by the Israeli company Elbit Systems since 2001. Capable of being manned by a crew ranging from 2 to 6 members, the ATMOS 2000 highlights its adaptability and ability to address a variety of operational scenarios. It features weapon traverse capabilities of 25 degrees left and right, and an elevation up to +70 degrees, allowing for exceptional maneuverability and targeting precision.

With a length of 9.5 meters and weighing 23,000 kg in its 52-caliber version, the ATMOS 2000 combines firepower and mobility, making it a preferred choice for armed forces globally. Israel, the producing country, has seen its artillery system adopted by several nations including Azerbaijan, Botswana, Denmark, Cameroon, Colombia, the Philippines, Thailand, Uganda, and Zambia.

The story of the ATMOS 2000 within the Philippine Armed Forces began with the signing of a $47 million contract with Elbit Systems in 2020 for the procurement of twelve self-propelled howitzers. These units were delivered to the Philippine Army in December 2021 and first deployed operationally within the 10th Field Artillery Battalion, nicknamed "Rolling Thunder," activated in June 2022. The ATMOS 2000 units are structured into three batteries, each comprising four guns. The departure ceremony was led by Secretary José C. Faustino Jr at the Philippine Army's Fort Bonifacio on September 21.

The acquisition process officially commenced following a Post Qualification Inspection in December 2019 and the conclusion of negotiations on the final terms and conditions of the contract in January 2020. The contract, amounting to 2.386 billion PHP, was based on an intergovernmental agreement between the Department of National Defense of the Philippines and the Defense International Cooperation Directorate (SIBAT) of the Israeli Ministry of Defense. The ATMOS 155mm units for the Philippine Army were expected to utilize truck platforms from Germany's MAN, known for their extensive service support network in the country.

This initiative is part of the Horizon 2 phase of priority projects under the Philippine Army's modernization program, highlighting the country's commitment to enhancing its mobile artillery and indirect fire support capabilities. The introduction of the ATMOS 2000 aims to improve the army's mobility, range, and indirect fire capabilities, thus boosting its operational efficiency and ability to respond to various security challenges.

The current arsenal of the Philippine Army includes two batteries of the ATMOS 155mm self-propelled artillery system, with each battery consisting of six mobile firing units (a total of 12 units), supplied by Elbit Systems.