Elbit Systems to deliver 28 upgraded M-113 armored vehicles to Philippines Army.

Four will be fitted with 25mm unmanned turrets to act as infantry fighting vehicles, six with 12.7mm machine gun on remote controlled weapon stations configured as armored personnel carriers. Fourteen will be installed with fire control systems for 90mm turrets to act as fire support vehicles. Final four will be turned into armored recovery vehicles.

“Our extensive portfolio and our vast experience enable us to offer our customers advanced solutions, answering the specific requirements of various combat vehicles, and this award further positions us as world leaders in the field of ground vehicle upgrades,” General Manager of Elbit Systems Land and C4I Udi Vered mentioned in earlier statement.

The M-113s will be supplied by Israeli defense manufacturer Elbit Systems Ltd. The contract, which is worth Php882 million (€18 million, $19.7 million), was signed last June 22.

Upgrades include installation of 25 mm unmanned turrets, 12.7 mm remote controlled weapon stations (RCWS) and fire control systems (FCS) for 90 mm turrets.

The PA operates around 343 AFVs (armored fighting vehicles) and APCs. Around 85 percent of these AFVs are on green status (fully mission capable) while another 10 percent are on yellow status (undergoing repair) and five percent are on red (beyond repair)

Some 150 of these are the United Kingdom-built GKN "Simba" with the remaining AFVs consisting of US designed V-150 and V-200 APCs, M-113, Turkish made ACV-300s and British Scorpion CVR(T)s.