Due to the numerous minor projects involved in the AFP Modernization Program's Capability Upgrade Program of the Philippine Navy and of all other branch services, MaxDefense Philippines decided to combine them to resources pages based on their classification according to Department of National Defense (DND) official documents.
In this case, we focus on Minor "Firepower / Fire Support" Projects under the AFPMP Capability Upgrade Program of the Philippine Navy, which are projects classified under Force Protection Projects that are less than Php100 million in value.
The project names would still be individually listed in the MaxDefense Philippines' AFP & PCG Modernization Resource Portals and on Philippine Defense Resource's List of Modernization Projects, but will be linked into each of the grouped resource pages of each branch service. MaxDefense Philippines will follow numbering based on its listing from DND documents.===============
FIREPOWER / FIRE SUPPORT PROJECTS OF THE PHILIPPINE NAVY UNDER THE AFPMP CAPABILITY UPGRADE PROGRAM:
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42. 40mm Grenade Launchers
Overview:
The project involves the acquisition of 720 units of 40mm M203-type grenade launchers that would be attached to the service's Remington R4A3 5.56mm rifles.
These would improve the firepower of Marine squads, as the R4A3 rifles did not include grenade launchers when they were distributed to the troops. Previously, the Marines retained the older M16A1 with M203 grenade launchers for use by Marine grenadiers, despite the riflemen already moving to the newer R4A3 rifle.
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| An M203 40mm grenade launcher attached to a Remington R4A3 rifle of the Philippine Marine Corps. Photo credits to DVIDS. |
The project was a US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) deal with the US Department of Defense, with American company Airtronic USA receiving the contract to supply the grenade launchers with their M203EXPIC 40mm grenade launchers.
The M203EXPIC can be attached to the R4A3's Picatinny Rail Mount System with ease, and has a longer barrel compared to other M203 variants.
The new M203EXPIC grenade launchers were delivered to the Philippine Marine Corps, with the project considered completed as of early 2016.
Project Summary:
40mm Grenade Launchers Acquisition Project:
Note: Edited as of 12 August 2021.
* End User: Philippine Navy (Philippine Marine Corps)
* Quantity: 720 nos.
* Modernization Phase: Capability Upgrade Program of the AFP Modernization Program (RA 7898)
* Project ABC: Php66,240,000.00
* Acquisition Mode: US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) Program with the US Department of Defense
* Source of Funding: GAA Funds through AFP Modernization Program Trust Fund
* Winning Proponent: Airtronic USA
* Product for Delivery: Airtronic M203EXPIC 40mm Grenade Launcher
* Contract Price: Php45,054,115.00
* Residual Difference (Savings): Php21,185,885.00
* Status: 40mm Grenade Launchers were delivered and project considered completed as of early 2016. PROJECT COMPLETED.
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43. 7.62mm Sniper Rifles
Overview:
The project involves the acquisition of 85 units of 7.62mm Sniper Rifles, which would replace older models and for use by the Marine Scout Snipers.
The PMC already uses the Remington M40 sniper rifles, and this would be a repeat order for more units. This will enable to replacement of the ageing M21 sniper rifle, which are based on the M14 7.62mm battle rifle.
Project Summary:
7.62mm Sniper Rifles Acquisition Project:
Note: Edited as of 13 August 2021.
* End User: Philippine Navy (Philippine Marine Corps)
* Quantity: 85 nos.
* Modernization Phase: Capability Upgrade Program of the AFP Modernization Program (RA 7898)
* Project ABC: Php50,000,000.00
* Acquisition Mode: US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) Program with the US Department of Defense
* Source of Funding: GAA Funds through AFP Modernization Program Trust Fund
* Winning Proponent: Remington Defense
* Product for Delivery: Remington M40A5 7.62mm sniper rifle
* Contract Price: TBC
* Residual Difference (Savings): TBC
* Status: The Remington M40A5 sniper rifles were delivered and project considered completed as of 2017. PROJECT COMPLETED.
Project Summary:
40mm Grenade Launchers Acquisition Project:
Note: Edited as of 12 August 2021.
* End User: Philippine Navy (Philippine Marine Corps)
* Quantity: 720 nos.
* Modernization Phase: Capability Upgrade Program of the AFP Modernization Program (RA 7898)
* Project ABC: Php66,240,000.00
* Acquisition Mode: US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) Program with the US Department of Defense
* Source of Funding: GAA Funds through AFP Modernization Program Trust Fund
* Winning Proponent: Airtronic USA
* Product for Delivery: Airtronic M203EXPIC 40mm Grenade Launcher
* Contract Price: Php45,054,115.00
* Residual Difference (Savings): Php21,185,885.00
* Status: 40mm Grenade Launchers were delivered and project considered completed as of early 2016. PROJECT COMPLETED.
 |
| The Airtronic M203EXPIC, as shown attached to an M4-type rifle. Photo credits to Airtronic USA. |
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43. 7.62mm Sniper Rifles
Overview:
The project involves the acquisition of 85 units of 7.62mm Sniper Rifles, which would replace older models and for use by the Marine Scout Snipers.
The PMC already uses the Remington M40 sniper rifles, and this would be a repeat order for more units. This will enable to replacement of the ageing M21 sniper rifle, which are based on the M14 7.62mm battle rifle.
The project was a US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) deal with the US Department of Defense, with American company Remington Defense receiving the contract to supply the rifles with their M40A5 sniper rifle.
The new rifles were delivered in 2017, with the project also declared as completed.
The new rifles were delivered in 2017, with the project also declared as completed.
 |
| The M40A5 sniper rifle of the Philippine Marine Corps. Photo shared by MaxDefense Philippines. |
Project Summary:
7.62mm Sniper Rifles Acquisition Project:
Note: Edited as of 13 August 2021.
* End User: Philippine Navy (Philippine Marine Corps)
* Quantity: 85 nos.
* Modernization Phase: Capability Upgrade Program of the AFP Modernization Program (RA 7898)
* Project ABC: Php50,000,000.00
* Acquisition Mode: US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) Program with the US Department of Defense
* Source of Funding: GAA Funds through AFP Modernization Program Trust Fund
* Winning Proponent: Remington Defense
* Product for Delivery: Remington M40A5 7.62mm sniper rifle
* Contract Price: TBC
* Residual Difference (Savings): TBC
* Status: The Remington M40A5 sniper rifles were delivered and project considered completed as of 2017. PROJECT COMPLETED.
===============
48. Light Armor System Upgrade (LARSU) Firepower Phase 2
Overview:
The project involves the upgrade works on four V-150 Commando wheeled armored vehicles of the Philippine Marine Corps, which have been in service since the late 1970s.
This is the second time that a LARSU project was done for the PMC, with an earlier one completed back in 2007 and also involved the upgrade of V-150 Commando armored vehicles.
The works include upgrades on the V-150's turret and weapon system, and repair works on the vehicles including replacement of damaged parts.
The project's procurement method was done through a 2-stage Public Bidding, with India's Larsen & Toubro winning the tender and awarded the contract in 2014.
Light Armor System Upgrade (LARSU) Phase 2 Project:
Note: Edited as of 13 August 2021.
* End User: Philippine Navy (Philippine Marine Corps)
* Quantity: 1 lot
* Modernization Phase: Capability Upgrade Program of the AFP Modernization Program (RA 7898)
* Project ABC: Php34,500,000.00
* Acquisition Mode: Public Bidding
* Source of Funding: GAA Funds through AFP Modernization Program Trust Fund
* Winning Proponent: Larsen & Toubro (India)
* Product for Delivery: upgrades for 4 V-150 wheeled armored vehicles
* Contract Price: TBC
* Residual Difference (Savings): TBC
* Status: The upgrade works for 4 V-150 wheeled armored vehicles were completed in 2016. PROJECT COMPLETED.
48. Light Armor System Upgrade (LARSU) Firepower Phase 2
Overview:
The project involves the upgrade works on four V-150 Commando wheeled armored vehicles of the Philippine Marine Corps, which have been in service since the late 1970s.
This is the second time that a LARSU project was done for the PMC, with an earlier one completed back in 2007 and also involved the upgrade of V-150 Commando armored vehicles.
The works include upgrades on the V-150's turret and weapon system, and repair works on the vehicles including replacement of damaged parts.
The project's procurement method was done through a 2-stage Public Bidding, with India's Larsen & Toubro winning the tender and awarded the contract in 2014.
The project was said to have been completed in 2016.
 |
| Some of the PMC's V-150 Commando wheeled armored vehicles. Photo credits to Timawa.net. |
Project Summary:
Light Armor System Upgrade (LARSU) Phase 2 Project:
Note: Edited as of 13 August 2021.
* End User: Philippine Navy (Philippine Marine Corps)
* Quantity: 1 lot
* Modernization Phase: Capability Upgrade Program of the AFP Modernization Program (RA 7898)
* Project ABC: Php34,500,000.00
* Acquisition Mode: Public Bidding
* Source of Funding: GAA Funds through AFP Modernization Program Trust Fund
* Winning Proponent: Larsen & Toubro (India)
* Product for Delivery: upgrades for 4 V-150 wheeled armored vehicles
* Contract Price: TBC
* Residual Difference (Savings): TBC
* Status: The upgrade works for 4 V-150 wheeled armored vehicles were completed in 2016. PROJECT COMPLETED.
===============
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CANCELLED FIREPOWER / FIRE SUPPORT PROJECTS:
These projects did not reach pre-procurement stages , or were cancelled during planning or procurement process due to a variety of reasons, as indicated:
1. Shoulder-Launched Multi-Purpose Assault Weapon
The project was meant to procure 24 units of Mk. 153 Shoulder-Launched Multipurpose Assault Weapon (SMAW) and 240 rounds of munitions for the Philippine Marine Corps.
The weapons would provide the service with a heavier infantry weapon that can be used against hardened bunkers or as a light anti-tank weapon, which would complement the lighter M72 LAW and Armbrust assault weapons.
The budget for the project was Php229,080,000.00 and would be procured through US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program.
But the deal did not push through for still unknown reasons, and details about the project was non-existent in DND AFP Modernization reports from 2015 to 2018, and the project was most likely cancelled.
2. 60mm Mortar Project:
The project was intended for the acquisition of 55 units of 60mm mortars to improve the fire support capabilities of Marine units.
An ABC worth Php38,500,000.00 was allocated for the project, with plans to acquire the M224 60mm mortar through US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program.
More funding was made available later on with the cancellation and shifting of the budget of the 81mm Mortar project to the 60mm Mortar project. This allowed for the acquisition of more M224 mortars, although no final number was made available.
The project did not reach procurement stage, and was cancelled and the budget
repurposed for other projects.
The project was again raised as part of the Horizon 2 phase of the Revised AFP Modernization Program in 2018, but with a different specifications, budget and quantity requirement, and procurement method.
3. 81mm Mortar Project:
Another project that involves the acquisition of new mortars, this one specifically for 29 units of M252 81mm mortars.
An ABC worth Php33,350,000.00 was initially allocated for the project, but this was found to be not enough for 29 units. This prompted the Philippine Marine Corps to reduce the quantity to be acquired to just 21 units, with the acquisition to be done through US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program.
Eventually the project was cancelled, with the funds shifted to the acquisition of 60mm Mortars, which later on was cancelled as well for still unknown reasons.
===============
These projects did not reach pre-procurement stages , or were cancelled during planning or procurement process due to a variety of reasons, as indicated:
1. Shoulder-Launched Multi-Purpose Assault Weapon
The project was meant to procure 24 units of Mk. 153 Shoulder-Launched Multipurpose Assault Weapon (SMAW) and 240 rounds of munitions for the Philippine Marine Corps.
The weapons would provide the service with a heavier infantry weapon that can be used against hardened bunkers or as a light anti-tank weapon, which would complement the lighter M72 LAW and Armbrust assault weapons.
The budget for the project was Php229,080,000.00 and would be procured through US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program.
But the deal did not push through for still unknown reasons, and details about the project was non-existent in DND AFP Modernization reports from 2015 to 2018, and the project was most likely cancelled.
 |
| The Mk. 153 SMAW. Credits to original source. |
2. 60mm Mortar Project:
The project was intended for the acquisition of 55 units of 60mm mortars to improve the fire support capabilities of Marine units.
An ABC worth Php38,500,000.00 was allocated for the project, with plans to acquire the M224 60mm mortar through US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program.
More funding was made available later on with the cancellation and shifting of the budget of the 81mm Mortar project to the 60mm Mortar project. This allowed for the acquisition of more M224 mortars, although no final number was made available.
The project did not reach procurement stage, and was cancelled and the budget
repurposed for other projects.
The project was again raised as part of the Horizon 2 phase of the Revised AFP Modernization Program in 2018, but with a different specifications, budget and quantity requirement, and procurement method.
 |
| The M224A1 60mm mortar. Photo credits to original source. |
3. 81mm Mortar Project:
Another project that involves the acquisition of new mortars, this one specifically for 29 units of M252 81mm mortars.
An ABC worth Php33,350,000.00 was initially allocated for the project, but this was found to be not enough for 29 units. This prompted the Philippine Marine Corps to reduce the quantity to be acquired to just 21 units, with the acquisition to be done through US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program.
Eventually the project was cancelled, with the funds shifted to the acquisition of 60mm Mortars, which later on was cancelled as well for still unknown reasons.
 |
| Latvian troops firing an M252 81mm mortar. Photo credits to US Mission to NATO Twitter account. |
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First edit and release: 11 August 2021
Copyright MaxDefense Philippines / Philippine Defense Resource
First edit and release: 11 August 2021
Copyright MaxDefense Philippines / Philippine Defense Resource
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