Philippine Army to get re-equipped with Combat Reflex Sights.

The Philippine Army has formally announced a re-equirement for 5,050 new Red Dot Combat Reflex Sights as part of its modernization efforts. These sights will be specifically mounted on newly acquired T4 Taurus assault rifles. This move is aimed at enhancing the Army's combat capabilities and is expected to be completed by the third quarter of 2024 if all goes as planned.
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The technical requirements specify that the sight housing material is to be made of aluminum alloy, ensuring durability and low weight. We do not have any further details at this time (Picture source: Wikimedia)

The Combat Reflex Sight Acquisition Project comes with specific technical requirements. The procurement is part of the General Appropriations Act (GAA) 2024 funding allocated for the Philippine Army. The budget for this project stands at approximately $4,999,500 USD. The mode of acquisition will be through public bidding, with the schedule for Submission of Bids and Eligibility (SOBE) tentatively planned for October 24, 2023.

The technical requirements specify that the sight housing material is to be made of aluminum alloy, ensuring durability and low weight. The sight also needs to be fully sealed and watertight, facilitating operational flexibility in various environments. Additionally, the sight will feature 1x magnification and a 2 MOA red dot size. At an estimated cost of $990 USD per unit, based on the current exchange rate, these high-end, robust sight systems are expected to offer reliable performance and durability in modern combat scenarios.

The new Red Dot Combat Reflex Sights will be specifically designed for compatibility with the T4 Taurus assault rifles that the Philippine Army is also acquiring. Known for their durability and versatility, these rifles will be further enhanced by the state-of-the-art sight systems, making them an integral part of the Army's modernization program.

Brazilian company Taurus Armas, a manufacturer of small arms, has been awarded a contract to supply 12,412 of its T4 automatic rifles to the Philippine Army. The contract is said to be valued at $7.3 million.

According to Taurus, the T4, which is based on the 5.56mm NATO Colt M4, is a lightweight rifle designed for military and police use that can be adapted for a wide range of accessories. The weapon is said to be manufactured with the latest generation of materials. The T4 is the first 5.56mm caliber rifle produced outside the US to have been purchased by the Philippine Armed Forces.

These sight systems, along with the near-simultaneous procurement of 9mm pistols, suggest that they are intended for new specialized units. Specifically, it is anticipated that these will be allocated to two new Brigade Combat Teams that the Army plans to activate in 2024-2025.

The tender documents stipulate that the sights are to be delivered in a single batch within 180 days from the release of the Notice to Proceed (NTP). With the first round of bidding anticipated to be successful, this would put the delivery date in the third quarter of 2024.