The Philippine Army (PA) continues its acquisition of more 5.56x45mm assault rifles based on the M4 / AR-15 platform as part of its 2019 budget.
Due to its similarity to an earlier project, MaxDefense Philippines and Philippine Defense Review decided to name this project as the Assault Rifle 5.56mm M4/AR-15 Platform Acquisition Project (2021) of the Philippine Army, with emphasis on adding "2021" to differentiate from the other similar projects that were raised 2018 and 2019, and to anticipate future purchases by the Philippine Army.
A Philippine Army soldier with an M4-type rifle, likely Remington R4A3.
Overview: As the Philippine Army continues to expand in size and improve its standard infantry weapon systems by moving away from old M16A1 rifles, it has embarked on the acquisition of more 5.56x45mm assault rifles to cover these requirements. After the massive acquisition of rifles in the last few years which resulted to the delivery of the Remington R4A3 5.56x45mm rifle, the Philippine Army has now started on yearly acquisitions just to cover for any gaps in the firearms requirements within the organization. For 2021, with the plan to expand the manpower of the Philippine Army beyond its usual size, it found itself in need of additional 5.56mm rifles. And like what they did in 2018 and 2019, they decided to go for an acquisition using its own budget for the year instead of going through the AFP Modernization Program that has already been approved in 2018.
Out of the several tender attempts made by the Philippine Army for Fiscal Year 2021, as of October 2021 this is the only project that pushed through up to a contract.
1,118 units are sought after in this specific project, with the specifications very much the same as earlier acquisitions under the Assault Rifle 5.56mm M4/AR-15 Platform Acquisition Projects.
As expected, the same tenderers submitted their bid including Armscor Global Defense, Trust Trade - Taurus Armas, SIG Sauer, among others.
Trust Trade - Taurus Armas won the tender, with the NOA released on their favor on 12 July 2021. A contract was signed and NTP released on 28 September 2021, giving the companies 210 days to delivery the firearms, which falls around April 2022.
Project Summary: Assault Rifle 5.56mm M4/AR-15 Platform Acquisition Project (2021) Note: Edited as of 20 May 2022. * Project Number: ORD PABAC2-018-2021
* End User: Philippine Army (unspecified units) * Quantity: 1,118 units * Modernization Phase: N/A, Philippine Army procurement outside RAFPMP for 2021 * Project ABC: Php31,388,000.00 * Acquisition Mode: Public Bidding * Source of Funding: Philippine Army GAA 2021 * SARO Release: TBA * Winning Proponent: Taurus Armas (Brazil) * Product for Delivery: Taurus T4 5.56x45mm rifle, 14.5" barrel
* Contract Price: Php36,478,104.40
* First post by MaxDefense: 09 October 2021 (this post) * MaxDefense Searching Hashtag: #PAAssaultRifle556Acquisition * Status: Submission of Bids on 12 April 2021, with Taurus Armas of Brazil declared the lowest calculated bidder. Notice of Award released on 12 July 2021, with the Notice to Proceed and Contract released on 28 September 2021. Delivery expected in 210 days after NTP release. Delivery confirmed as of April 2022. PROJECT COMPLETED.
The Taurus T4 5.56mm rifle. Photo c/o Monch Publishing.
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05 October 2021: MaxDefense received confirmation that the Taurus Armas won the tender to supply 1,118 units of M4/AR-15 type 5.56x45mm rifles for the Philippine Army.
Photo from PhilGEPS.
With Taurus already in the process of supplying their T4 rifle, the new contract means that the same rifle would be delivered, as the specifications are the same.
The Taurus T4 5.56x45mm rifle, which is based on the AR-15 design. Photo taken from Pinterest.
It would be remembered that only last 25 September 2021, Taurus Armas and Trust Trade announced that the T4 successfully passed rigorous testing and inspection by the Philippine Army.
According to Trust Trade, the tests include Completeness Inspection & Random Sampling, Physical Inspection, Weight & Dimensional Inspection, Trigger Pull Test, Functional Test, Cyclic Rate of Fire Test, Targeting & Accuracy Test, Maximum Effective Range Test, High Pressure Resistance Test, Dust Exposure Test, Mud Immersion Test, Water Immersion Test, Drop Safety Test, Interchangeability Test, Endurance Test and Cook Off Test.
It remains to be seen if this batch of 1,118 units will need to undergo the same test again, especially if Taurus can prove that it will come from the same production batch as those delivered in an earlier contract.
Taurus team with Filipino officials as it completed pre-delivery inspections and passing of tests of their T4 rifles for the Philippine Army. Photo credits to Trust Trade.
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20 May 2022:
A follow-up by our parent page MaxDefense Philippines with a source from the Philippine Army has confirmed that Taurus Armas has completed the delivery of 1,118 new T4 assault rifles as of April 2022.
No further information has been made but apparently the rifles have already been distributed to Philippine Army units.
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With the Taurus T4 5.56mm rifles already delivered and formally inducted with the Philippine Army, MaxDefense and Philippine Defense Resource officially consider the ORD PABAC2-018-2021 Assault Rifle 5.56mm M4/AR-15 Platform Acquisition Project of the Philippine Army as COMPLETED.
The Philippine Army (PA) has started to improve and modernize its riverine capabilities, which is among their existing capabilities that are not well known to the general public.
Aside from the acquisition of several riverine operations boats under the Revised AFP Modernization Program's Horizon 2 Phase, the Philippine Army has also opened tender for additional boats, funded by their annual operating budget. In this resource page, the discussion will focus on the acquisition of 8 new Watercraft Patrol Boats during Fiscal Year 2020.
The Light Boat from Stoneworks Specialist International, as displayed by the Philippine Army. The contract for additional boats call for a similar design as the Light Boats.
Project Summary: Watercraft (Patrol Boat) Acquisition Project Note: edit as of 09 October 2021 * Project Number: ORD PABAC2-012-20
* End User: Philippine Army (Special Forces Regiment - Airborne)
* Quantity: 8 boats * Modernization Phase: Horizon 2 Phase of RAFPMP * Project ABC: Php28,000,000.00 * Acquisition Mode: Public Bidding * Source of Funding: GAA Funds of the Philippine Army FY2020 * Winning Proponent: Stoneworks Specialists International Corp.
* Product for Delivery: 27' FRP-hulled Light Boats, with Trailer * Contract Price: Php28,000,000.00 * First post by MaxDefense: 09 October 2021 (this post)
* MaxDefense Searching Hashtag/s: #PAWatercraftAcquisition * Status: Separate procurement from Riverine Equipment Project, and was procured using Philippine Army's GAA Funds from FY2020. Submission of Bids was made on 22 December 2020, with the project eventually awarded to Stoneworks Specialist International Corp. Contract and Notice to Proceed were released on 28 December 2020. Delivery expected to be on or before 31 August 2021. PROJECT COMPLETED
Photo taken from and credited to the Philippine Army.
Acquisition of Additional Light Boats:
The Philippine Army already has an ongoing contract to supply Light Boats when the new tender for Watercraft Patrol Boats came out in late 2020. The Light Boats were contracted to Stoneworks Specialist International Corp.
As per specifications of the Watercraft Patrol Boat Acquisition Project, the dimensions and performance of the boats, including the materials used are similar to the original specifications of the Light Boats of the Riverine Operations Equipment project, which has been changed later on.
The Philippine Army previously confirmed that the Light Boat has a maximum speed of 25 knots and can carry 8 fully-equipped troops, although it appears to be similar in size to the existing Assault Watercraft boats. The boats are small enough for safe operations even on small rivers, but sturdy enough to operate in calm waters of larger bodies of water like lakes.
According to Stoneworks, the boats are 26 feet long (7.92 meters), and are made of fiberglass. It has a capacity of 11 fully equipped troops and 1 pilot, has 2 outboard motors each with 115hp, a maximum speed of 25 knots full load, or 35 knots with the pilot only. It has a gun mount for a .60-caliber machine gun, and has a loudspeaker and search light.
Once delivered, the total number of Light Boats of the Philippine Army will increase, from 52 based on the original Riverine Operations Equipment Light Boat project, to 60 once the Watercraft Patrol Boat project is included.
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With the Stoneworks 8-meter Watercraft Patrol Boats already delivered and inducted to the Philippine Army as of 4th quarter 2021,MaxDefense and Philippine Defense Resource officially consider the ORD PABAC2 012-20 Watercraft (Patrol Boat) Acquisition Project of the Philippine Army as COMPLETED.
The Philippine Army had raised a requirement for 49 new Light Troop Carrier Trucks, 18 Medium Troop Carrier Trucks, and 3 Field Ambulances that would be acquired through the Philippine Army's Government Appropriations Act (GAA) funding under Fiscal Year 2020.
This is not one of the usual truck procurement projects of the Philippine Army that were included in the AFP Modernization Program, but instead would be procured using its own annual funding.
And this one has a surprise twist as unusual models were delivered by the winning bidder.
The Dongfeng EQ2082 6x6 medium military truck in troop carrier form. Photo credits to Alibaba.com.
The Beijing Auto Works Beijing Jeep BJ2022. Photo credits to Made In China.com.
Project Summaries:
Lot 1: Field Ambulance Acquisition Project (2020): Note: Edited as of 23 May 2022. * Project Number: ORD PABAC-009-06-20
* End User: Philippine Army
* Quantity: 3 units * Modernization Phase: GAA 2019 Procurement Projects of the Philippine Army * Project ABC: Php16,920,000.00
* Acquisition Mode: Public Bidding
* Source of Funding: Government Appropriations Act (GAA) 2019 funding of the Philippine Army * Winning Proponent: Jinyi Import & Export Trading Co. Inc. * Product for Delivery: Sinotruk HOWO light duty truck in field ambulance configuration. * Contract Price: Php14,844,000.00 * First post by MaxDefense: 01 October 2021 * MaxDefense Searching Hashtag: #PATrucks2020Acquisition * Status: Project was implemented through Public Bidding, with SOBE held on 17 November 2020. Jinyi Import & Export Trading Co. Inc. as declared the Lowest Calculated and Responsive Bidder. MaxDefense PH believes truck to be supplied are Chinese-made Sinotruk HOWO light duty trucks. Delivery confirmed as of 15 July 2021. Assumed to have been inducted to the Philippine Army as other vehicles delivered in this batch have been inducted as of May 2022. PROJECT COMPLETED.
=============== Lot 2: Troop Carrier, Light Acquisition Project (2020):
Note: Edited as of 23 May 2022. * Project Number: ORD PABAC-009-06-20 * End User: Philippine Army
* Quantity: 49 units * Modernization Phase: GAA 2019 Procurement Projects of the Philippine Army * Project ABC: Php142,100,000.00
* Acquisition Mode: Public Bidding
* Source of Funding: Government Appropriations Act (GAA) 2019 funding of the Philippine Army * Winning Proponent: Jinyi Import & Export Trading Co. Inc. * Product for Delivery: Beijing Auto Works BJ2022 Yongshi * Contract Price: Php122,010,000.00 * First post by MaxDefense: 01 October 2021 * MaxDefense Searching Hashtag: #PATrucks2020Acquisition * Status: Project was implemented through Public Bidding, with SOBE held on 17 November 2020. Jinyi Import & Export Trading Co. Inc. as declared the Lowest Calculated and Responsive Bidder. Based on photos, trucks delivered were Chinese-made Beiing Auto Works BJ2022 single-cab pick-up type. Delivery confirmed as of 15 July 2021. At least 6 units inducted with 551st Engineering Battalion, which confirms acceptance by Philippine Army. PROJECT COMPLETED.
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Lot 3: Troop Carrier, Medium Acquisition Project (2020):
Note: Edited as of 23 May 2022.
* Project Number: ORD PABAC-009-06-20 * End User: Philippine Army
* Quantity: 18 units * Modernization Phase: GAA 2019 Procurement Projects of the Philippine Army * Project ABC: Php106,200,000.00
* Acquisition Mode: Public Bidding
* Source of Funding: Government Appropriations Act (GAA) 2019 funding of the Philippine Army * Winning Proponent: Jinyi Import & Export Trading Co. Inc. * Product for Delivery: Dongfeng EQ2082 6x6 militarymedium truck * Contract Price: Php89,910,000.00 * First post by MaxDefense: 01 October 2021 * MaxDefense Searching Hashtag: #PATrucks2020Acquisition * Status: Project was implemented through Public Bidding, with SOBE held on 17 November 2020. Jinyi Import & Export Trading Co. Inc. as declared the Lowest Calculated and Responsive Bidder. Based on photos, trucks delivered were Chinese-made Dongfeng EQ2082 6x6 military medium trucks. Delivery confirmed as of 15 July 2021. At least 1 unit inducted with 551st Engineering Battalion, which confirms acceptance by Philippine Army. PROJECT COMPLETED
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Overview:
The project aims to acquire 70 new trucks through public tender and by using the Philippine Army's own annual operating budget, which is an unusual move by the Philippine Army.
This is due to most of its truck procurement done via the Philippine Army's Modernization Program, or through the AFP Modernization Program, and is usually acquired through Government-to-Government (G2G) process. In the past decade, most if not all new truck procurements were supplied by Kia Motors of South Korea in the form of the Kia KM-series trucks.
Despite the procurement done in 2020, the funding were confirmed to be from FY2019.
Currently, the Light Troop Carrier Truck of the Philippine Army is the Kia KM450 4x4 truck, which is a modernized version of the 1960s era M715 4x4 truck from the US. While the Medium Troop Carrier Trucks are the Kia KM250 6x6 truck, which is also a modernized version of the M35 from the US.
According to MaxDefense Philippines' sources, originally the Philippine Army tried to undertake a Government-to-Government (G2G) deal with South Korea for additional Kia KM250 and KM450 trucks. But the new specifications was set to include EURO-4 emissions standard, which was said to be lacking in the older-design KM250 and KM450 series trucks.
This prompted the Philippine Army to open a public bidding, which was said to have been entered by Kia Motors and Russia's Ural.
In comparison:
We try to compare the new acquisition of Light Troop Carrier Trucks to previous acquisitions of the Philippine Army and other armed services of the Philippine government.
Currently the Trucks Troop Carrier Light has a budget of Php2,900,000.00 each. But Jinyi's contract value has an average price of around Php2,490,000.00 each.
The BAW BJ2022 single-cab version, which is the basis for the Truck Troop Carrier Light delivered by Jinyi. Photo credits to CarNewsChina.com.
Meanwhile, the budget for Trucks Troop Carrier Medium has an average of Php5,900,000.00, but Jinyi's price for the Dongfeng EQ2082 "Long Nose" medium truck is Php4,995,000.00 each.
The Field Ambulance is something different as Jinyi delivered based on a commercial light utility truck from Sinotruk Howo.
A Sinotruk Howo light duty truck similar to those delivered to the Philippine Army but with a different cargo cab. Photo credits to ECVV.com.
a. Kia KM450 truck- considered as Light Troop Carrier Truck per Horizon 2 phase of RAFPMP. Based on 2018 contract between DND and Korea Trade Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA)Php677,247,850.00 for 215 Kia KM450 trucks, or a unit rate ofPhp3,150,000.00 per unit.
Kia KM450 1 1/4-ton trucks used as armed troop carriers by the Philippine Army.
b. Kia KM250 truck - considered as Medium Troop Carrier Truck per Horizon 2 phase of RAFPMP. Based on 2018 contract between DND and KOTRA.
Php1,859,984,500.00 for 310 Kia KM250 trucks, or a unit rate of Php6,000,000.00 per unit.
A Kia KM250 2 1/2-ton truck of the Philippine Army. Photo credits to Wikimedia Commons.
c. GAZ Sadko truck - considered as Medium Troop Carrier Truck per procurement by the PNP Special Action Force. Based on 2019 contract between PNP-SAF and ConEquip Philippines.
Php119,128,800.00 for 37 GAZ Sadko 4x4 trucks, or a unit rate of Php3,220,000.00 per unit.
A GAZ Sadko 4x4 truck of the PNP Special Action Force. Photo credits to original source.
d. Ural Next trucks - considered as Heavy Troop Carrier Truck per procurement by the PNP Special Action Force. Based on 2108 contract between the PNP-SAF and ConEquip Philippines.
Php85,575,000.00 for 10 Ural Next 42306 trucks, or a unit rate of Php8,557,500.00 per truck, although this includes 2 trucks modified into Command and Control trucks with airconditioned and fitted cabin.
Based on the Contract Price submitted by ConEquip Philippines for the Philippine Army's requirement of 90 vehicles, it appears that each truck is around Php2,254,000.00.
That is far cheaper to the Kia KM450's year 2019 rate, or even the GAZ Sadko's year 2019 rate. Project Awarding:
All 3 lots were awarded to Davao-based company Jinyi Import & Export Trading Co. Ltd, which is known as a local distributor of Chinese-made trucks and vehicles. The NOA was released in favor of Jinyi on 17 November 2020, and was provided the contract and Notice to Proceed (NTP) as of 06 April 2021.
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01 October 2021:
MaxDefense Philippines released photos showing the BJ2022 trucks in a storage facility in Luzon from a few months ago, and the same trucks in an Army facility in Mindanao as of September 2021.
BJ2022 trucks in Luzon sometime July 2021, and in Midandao as of September 2021. Photo credits to MaxDefense Philippines.
This was followed by a video showing the vehicles delivered in a port in Mindanao. The video shows the Sinotruk Howo medium trucks as well. No photo was seen on the field ambulance but it was assumed to be based on the BJ2022 trucks as well.
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05 October 2021:
Inquirer.net confirmed MaxDefense Philippines' earlier reports of delivery of Chinese trucks to the Philippine Army, as the Philippine Army spokesman himself confirmed the delivery.
Apparently, the vehicles were from Dongfeng Motors, but our checking based on the photos available from MaxDefense Philippines show that not all were from Dongfeng. Only the Trucks Troop Carrier, Medium were from Dongfeng, but the Truck Troop Carrier Light were from Beijing Auto Works, while the Field Ambulance were from Sinotruk.
Since the trucks are still undergoing technical inspection, we cannot say that the project is completed as the Philippine Army may reject them if found to be not according to specifications.
MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine Army has recently acquired 70 Chinese-made military vehicles.
A technical inspection is ongoing for 49 light troop carriers, 18 medium cargo trucks, and three ambulances manufactured by Chinese state-owned Dongfeng Motors, Army spokesperson Col. Xerxes Trinidad told Inquirer.net. An ambulance costs almost P5 million each; the light troop carriers were around P2.5 million each; and the medium cargo trucks were almost P5 million each, he said. The vehicles were delivered last July 15 and were brought to an Army unit in Zamboanga City. The lowest bid was made by supplier Jinyi Import & Export Trading Co. Inc. Other bidders were South Korea’s Kia Motors and Russia’s Ural, Trinidad said. The vehicles are currently undergoing “very rigid” inspection and several field tests, said Trinidad. “The delivery itself is for technical inspection, if we will accept it,” he said. “So there’s a big possibility that if what they delivered was not what was promised regarding specifications, we will not accept. Definitely,” he said partly in Filipino. More details about the purchase will be released after the technical inspection, he said. The acquisition of the Chinese-made military vehicles is a procurement project of the Philippine Army in 2019.
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23 May 2022: The Philippine Army's 551st Engineering Battalion confirmed that it received some of the Chinese-made Beijing Jeep BJ2022 and Dongfeng EQ2082 troop carrier vehicles to augment its logistics and troop transport capabilities.
The 551st Engineering Battalion received 6 BJ2022 and 1 EQ2082 troop carrier trucks.
Surprisingly, the vehicles were named as Dongfeng SS-89 and SS-89K trucks, respectively. But a quick search in Google doesn't show any Dongfeng SS-89 model in their lineup.
This goes to show that the Chinese vehicles we reported last year was eventually received and accepted by the Philippine Army, despite our questions especially on the Beijing Jeep BJ2022 meeting the specs of the 1 1/4-ton Troop Carrier requirements.
Photo credits to 551st Engineering Battalion, Philippine Army.
Also, the Philippine Army's Army Support Command (ASCOM) 10th Forward Service Support Unit also posted their transportation of 28 BJ2022 Yongshi 1 1/4-ton troop carrier trucks and 8 EQ2082 2 1/2-ton troop carrier trucks from Camp General Arturo Enrile in Zamboanga City to the 4th Infantry Division based in Camp BGen Edilberto Evangelista in Cagayan de Oro City, and 55th Engineering Brigade, also within Camp General Arturo Enrile in Zamboanga City.
The ones received by the 551st Engineering Battalion could be part of this delivery.
Photo credits to 10FSSU, ASCOM PA.
=============== With the Beijing Jeep BJ2022 Yongshi and Dongfeng EQ2082 trucks already delivered and inducted to the Philippine Army as of May 2022, it can be assumed that all trucks including the Sinotruk HOWO light duty field ambulance truck are also delivered and inducted. With this,MaxDefense and Philippine Defense Resource officially consider the Trucks Field Ambulance, Troop Carrier Light and Troop Carrier Medium Acquisition Project (2020) of the Philippine Army as COMPLETED.
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First edit and release: 09 October 2021 Copyright MaxDefense Philippines / Philippine Defense Resource
