Philippine Army Receives 80 Assault Rifles, 44 Mortars from US

The Philippine Army received 80 assault rifles and 44 mortars from the United States government earlier this month.

The 80 assault rifles is a grant by the US government to the Philippine Army under the Military Assistance Program. Further, the Philippine Army through its modernization program, purchased 44 mortars also from the US government under the Foreign Military Sales Program, the Army stated in a press statement Monday, Mar. 18, 2019.

The army received the rifles on Sunday, Mar. 3, 2019. Assault rifles are the primary direct fire weapons used by the infantry troops participating in armed battles against the enemy, while mortars are indirect fire weapons mainly used to support the infantry.

“Further, the purchase of mortars through the Army modernization fund upgrades our weapons systems and capabilities for the Philippine Army to better perform its mission to secure the land,” the statement read.