MANILA – The Philippine Army (PA) stated on Thursday that the “improved target acquisition system” (ITAS) donated by the United States has given it a capability similar to those provided by anti-tank guided missile systems (ATGMs).
“It has a similar capability as that of the ATGMS to deny possible threats sighted on the ground,” said Army spokesperson, Col. Xerxes Trinidad, in a message when asked whether the Army has existing ATGMs or these are in the procurement pipeline.
He went on to say that the ITAS defeats threats on the battlefield using tube-launched optically tracked, wire-guided (TOW) missiles.
ATGMs are weapons designed to destroy tanks, armored transports, and other armored fighting vehicles.
These ITAS are part of a USD18 million precision-guided munition package provided to the Armed Forces of the Philippines by the US government in late 2020.
Among the weapons given are 100 TOW-2A missiles, 12 ITAS, and 24 Mark-82 bombs, as well as related guidance kits for converting them to smart bombs.
Trinidad stated that the ITAS is “already ready for distribution to our field units”.
The so-called “medium multipurpose assault weapon (MMAW)” is also in the pipeline for the PA, he noted.
“What we have in the pipeline for the Army capability enhancement program is the procurement of MMAW,” Trinidad said.
Trinidad described an MMAW as a weapon akin to a recoilless rifle (RR) that may be used to defeat various threats such as personnel, vehicles, and bunkers depending on the ammunition used. An RR is a lightweight artillery system or man-portable launcher.
“Similar to our 90RR or the Carl Gustav weapon, but more advanced that can easily be deployed in the field by the foot soldiers,” he added.
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