PH Army to receive rocket artillery trucks from Korea

The Philippine Army (PA) won't just be receiving a new fleet of tanks this year. Apart from the incoming 20 Sabrah Light Tanks, the PA is also set to get 22 K136 “Kooryong” multi-launch rocket systems (MLRS) from Korea.

According to PH Army Spokesperson Col. Xerxes Trinidad, the 22 units of the Kooryong MLRS are expected to be delivered as early this year. Once here, the MLRS will be used by the Philippine Army and the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC).

“The MLRS for the Army is donated by the (South) Korean government and it is still ongoing bidding at the DND (Department of National Defense) level for the shipment. The budget released (Special Allotment Release Order [SARO]) is dedicated for the shipment,” said Trinidad.

In addition, the bidding for the MLRS' shipment or transport to the country is currently ongoing at the Department of National Defense (DND).

“The Philippines will be providing the logistics for its shipment to our country. It is expected to be shipped within this year and has no specific timetable yet, although, it was earlier posted that by June 2022 ang dating nito sa bansa (will be arriving in the country),” said Trinidad.

The spokesperson also mentioned that the SARO was issued by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) last April 22. It's worth PHP 20,933,680 and is intended to “cover the funding requirement for the transfer and acceptance of the donations to the PA and PMC of the 130mm MLRS under the Revised Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program.

All 22 K136 Kooryong MLRS will be armed with 36 130mm rockets. The K136's armament has a range of 48 to 80 km and can be used in both external and internal defenses. Depending on the need, the K136 can fire single or partial rockets or a full salvo of the ordinance. Firing the weapon can be done either from the driver's seat or remotely from the vehicle.

With the PH Army set to receive Sabrah Light Tanks as well as several K136 MLRS, the new hardware will surely boost our military's offensive and defensive capabilities. Here's to hoping we get more equipment to modernize the army's ordinance.