The Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) has raised a requirement for the acquisition of additional new 5.56mm Squad Automatic Weapons (SAW).
This was to improve the overall firepower delivery capability of individual Marine squads, while also replacing older and heavier SAWs.
With this, the Philippine Marine Corps, through its Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), invited manufacturers and suppliers of light machine guns to submit a bid for the Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW) Acquisition Project (2025).
Project Summary:
Squad Automatic Weapon (2025) Acquisition Project:
Note: Edited as of 13 November 2024
* Project Number: WEAPON-PMCBAC-2025-01
* End User: Philippine Navy (Philippine Marine Corps)
* Quantity: 73 units
* Modernization Phase: Philippine Navy GAA Acquisition for 2024
* Project ABC: Php45,885,000.00
* Acquisition Mode: Public Bidding
* Source of Funding: Philippine Navy GAA Funds for 2024
* SARO Release: N/A
* Winning Proponent: TBA
* Product for Delivery: TBA
* Contract Price: TBA
* Residual Difference (Savings): TBC
* First post by MaxDefense: 13 November 2024 (this post)
* MaxDefense Searching Hashtag: #PMCSAW2025Acquisition
* Status: Public tender was opened on 24 September 2024, SOBE was scheduled on 15 October 2024.
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Overview:
The Philippine Marine Corps have recently acquired a batch of 160 units of new MFR56 light squad automatic weapons made by Turkiye's System Defence, as the service starts to replaced damaged or lost squad automatic weapons over the years.
In addition, a follow-on acquisition was made for 73 more SAWs was made in 2023, with the MFR56 light SAW again winning the tender and is scheduled for delivery to the Philippine Marine Corps by 2025.
As the PMC continues to require more new SAWs for its Marine squads, another tender was released on September 2024 for the acquisition of another 73 units, which would allow more Marine units to transition from their exisiting FN Minimi and M60E3/E4 machine guns to a more versatile model.
Prior to the introduction of the first batch of MRF56 light SAWs, typical Marine Squads are using the M60E3/E4 7.62mm machine guns, which are heavier than a 5.56mm SAW at more than 10.5 kilograms for the machine gun alone. In comparison, typical 5.56mm SAWs or even newer 7.62mm light machine guns weight less than 8.5 kilograms.
The Philippine Marine Corps have recently acquired a batch of 160 units of new MFR56 light squad automatic weapons made by Turkiye's System Defence, as the service starts to replaced damaged or lost squad automatic weapons over the years.
In addition, a follow-on acquisition was made for 73 more SAWs was made in 2023, with the MFR56 light SAW again winning the tender and is scheduled for delivery to the Philippine Marine Corps by 2025.
As the PMC continues to require more new SAWs for its Marine squads, another tender was released on September 2024 for the acquisition of another 73 units, which would allow more Marine units to transition from their exisiting FN Minimi and M60E3/E4 machine guns to a more versatile model.
Prior to the introduction of the first batch of MRF56 light SAWs, typical Marine Squads are using the M60E3/E4 7.62mm machine guns, which are heavier than a 5.56mm SAW at more than 10.5 kilograms for the machine gun alone. In comparison, typical 5.56mm SAWs or even newer 7.62mm light machine guns weight less than 8.5 kilograms.
Providing a lighter SAW helps the automatic rifleman, as shaving a few kilos off the weight of his weapon allows for reasonable comfort and better movement.
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| The PMC's primary LMG is the M60E3 or M60E4 7.62mm machine guns, as seen here carried by PMC MARSOG personnel during the Battle of Marawi. Photo credits to original source. |
It is expected that Turkiye's System Defence and its Filipino partner Topshot Guns International may again win this public bidding, banking on their experience, the technical specifications and commonality with previously-acquired SAWs.
System Defence's MFR56 light machine gun, which is being touted as the "world's lightest dual-fed machine gun" as it weighs only 4.25 kilograms.
It appears that the PMC has been satisfied with the MFR56 light machine guns which prompted them to procure another batch, despite indirectly through public bidding.
Technical Requirements:
Unlike the previous tenders for SAWs, the Philippine Marine Corps were less specific in the overall dimensions of the light machine gun, and instead focused on specifics or barrel, sight, etc.
Caliber: 5.56mm x 45mm NATO
Barrel: quick changeable, made of high-carbon alloy steel, 1:7 rifling, 6 grooves RH
System Defence's MFR56 light machine gun, which is being touted as the "world's lightest dual-fed machine gun" as it weighs only 4.25 kilograms.
It appears that the PMC has been satisfied with the MFR56 light machine guns which prompted them to procure another batch, despite indirectly through public bidding.
Technical Requirements:
Unlike the previous tenders for SAWs, the Philippine Marine Corps were less specific in the overall dimensions of the light machine gun, and instead focused on specifics or barrel, sight, etc.
Caliber: 5.56mm x 45mm NATO
Barrel: quick changeable, made of high-carbon alloy steel, 1:7 rifling, 6 grooves RH
Design: air cooled
Receiver Assembly Material Composition: High-carbon alloy steel
Rail Interface: MID STD 1913
Operating System: Gas-Operated or Gas Piston
Feeding: capable of accepting STANAG M16 30-round magazine, or belt-fed with standard 200-rounds ammo box
Major Accessories:
* 2 x 30-round STANAG magazines per SAW
* 2 x 200-round ammunition box/magazine per SAW
* 1 x 2-point Tactical Sling per SAW
* 1 x Reflex Optic Sight per SAW
* 1 x Spare Barrel per SAW
Receiver Assembly Material Composition: High-carbon alloy steel
Rail Interface: MID STD 1913
Operating System: Gas-Operated or Gas Piston
Feeding: capable of accepting STANAG M16 30-round magazine, or belt-fed with standard 200-rounds ammo box
Major Accessories:
* 2 x 30-round STANAG magazines per SAW
* 2 x 200-round ammunition box/magazine per SAW
* 1 x 2-point Tactical Sling per SAW
* 1 x Reflex Optic Sight per SAW
* 1 x Spare Barrel per SAW
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| The MFR56, part of the initial 160 units acquired in 2021, during testing conducted in Cavite in 2023. Photo credits to Edwin Ano of Topshot Guns. |
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First edit and release: 13 November 2024
Copyright MaxDefense Philippines / Philippine Defense Resource
Copyright MaxDefense Philippines / Philippine Defense Resource
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