Elbit Systems Delivers Third Batch of Sabrah Light Tanks to Philippine Army

A new batch of armored vehicles, including three "Sabrah" ASCOD 2 light tanks and Armored Recovery Vehicles (ARVs) based on the ASCOD 2 platform, has recently been delivered to the Philippine Army.

This marks the third shipment of Sabrah tanks under a contract to supply 20 "Sabrah" light tanks and support vehicles, valued at approximately $172 million. The deal was signed in June 2022 with Israeli defense company Elbit Systems.

The contract is being implemented over a three-year period. As the prime contractor, Elbit Systems is supplying the "Sabrah" light tank based on two platforms: the tracked ASCOD chassis, manufactured by General Dynamics European Land Systems – Santa Bárbara (GDELS) of Spain, and the Pandur II 8x8 wheeled armored personnel carrier (APC) platform, manufactured by Excalibur Army of the Czech Republic.

The "Sabrah" light tanks are equipped with a 105 mm cannon, as well as advanced communications and command-and-control (C2) systems developed by Elbit Systems.

According to the Philippine military-focused website Defense Studies, the arrival of this batch is expected to further enhance the capabilities of the Philippine Army's armored forces, especially in missions related to border defense, sovereignty protection, and internal security. However, the report also raises questions about whether the Philippine Army will receive the wheeled version of the Fire Support Vehicles (FSVs), a matter on which no official statement has been released to date.