MANILA, Dec. 10 (PNA) — Seventy-seven units of US-donated M-113A2 armored personnel carriers, intended for the Mechanized Infantry Division of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, have arrived in Subic Bay, Zambales province Wednesday evening.
This is the first batch of the 114 APCs transferred to the AFP via the US Excess Defense Article (EDA) program.
The second shipment of 37 units is scheduled to arrive on Dec. 14 and the remainder will be delivered later this month.
The EDA Program grants excess US military equipment, without cost, to qualified allied countries.
The transfer is a result of a formal request made by the AFP to assist in their defense modernization efforts.
The M-113A2 was developed to provide a survivable and reliable light tracked vehicle that allows for troops to be brought forward under armor for dismounted operations.
A number of the vehicles are scheduled to participate in the annual AFP Day Parade on Dec. 21.(PNA)