List of equipment of the Philippine Marine Corps explained

This is a list of equipment used by the Philippine Marine Corps, a unit under the Philippine Navy that specializes in amphibious warfare. The marine corps has made use of its existing equipment conduct its operations while modernization projects are underway. The Republic Act No. 7898 declares the policy of the State to modernize the military to a level where it can effectively and fully perform its constitutional mandate to uphold the sovereignty and preserve the patrimony of the republic. The law, as amended, has set conditions that should be satisfied when the defense department procures major equipment and weapon systems for the marine corps.

Armored vehicles

PictureModelOriginTypeVariantIn ServiceNotes

KAAV7A1 8[1] [2] Produced by Hanwha Systems for the Amphibious vehicle requirement.[3]
V-150 18 Delivery starting 1975,[4] at least 18 known in service and 12 refurbished in 2007.[5]
Armored personnel carrier & Fire Support Vehicle V-300 APC
V-300 FSV
12
11
Introduced in early 90s. 23 in service as of 2012, 1 FSV destroyed in enemy action.

Utility vehicles

PictureModelOriginTypeVariantIn ServiceNotes
Kia KLTVArmored Tactical VehicleK1511Donated by Kia Motors for evaluation for future Light Tactical Vehicle requirement. Currently used for convoy escort duties. 1 transferred from the Philippine Army.
M998A1
M1038A1
M1025A1
unknown Divided into several variants and series
M1152 4 23 delivered to AFP in November 2011,[6] PMC received 4 units.
MMPV 8 A 4x4 prototype utility vehicle used and manufactured by the PMC. The vehicle is rumored to be a heavily refurbished Mitsubishi Pajero while having a similar concept of the HMMWV. Tests were conducted within 2005–2006. 8 units were produced, while some units are equipped with the M40 recoilless rifle.
M1777 unknown Divided into several variants and series, including short and stretched utility and armed variants, and modified variants for specialized units.
1/4-ton Light Utility Vehicle and Weapons Carrier Standard In Service, several carrying M40 106 mm recoilless rifle.
Kia KM45 Series 1 1/2-ton Utility Vehicle
Field Ambulance
KM450
KM451
<50
12
651 purchased by AFP on 2007, 61 units shared by Navy/Marines and Air Force[7]
60 km-451 field ambulance purchased by AFP in 2012, 12 assigned to the Marines.
Utility Truck M2 106 Crew Cab 6 Hauler for Riverine Patrol Boat trailer, each with RPB trailer.[8]
M35 Divided into several variants and series. More delivered in 2013.
Kia KM25 Series2 1/2-ton Utility Vehicle KM250 Several dozens received in multiple batches acquired by the Philippine Navy and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
Heavy Utility Vehicle M923 Several delivered to AFP in 2013, several units for the Marines.[9]
Kia KM50 Series 5-ton Utility Vehicle KM500 6 155mm Artillery prime mover, 6 units delivered in 2012.
Granite 4x4 Tractor 8 Tank transporter tractor for AAVs.[10]
Amphibious Support Vehicle LARC-V 5 Most refurbished in 2006.

Artillery

PictureModelOriginTypeVariantIn ServiceNotesstyle="text-align: center; background:#acc; width:11%;"
Mortar
M75 mortar M75 unknown Several hundred units were produced as part of the AFP Self-Reliance Defense Posture Program starting 1977, several distributed for the PMC.[11]
M29 unknown In service.[12]
EXPAL M-98 mortar M-98 – (+30) Ordered as part of the RAFPMP Horizon 2 phase.[13]
Field Artillery
M-71 6 First batch delivered April 2017. Second batch delivered June 2017. In service.
M101 ~23 Total 150 delivered to the AFP, majority with the Army. Delivered in 1957–1958.
Mod 56 ~20 Total 120 delivered to AFP, majority went to the Army. Delivered in 1983.[14]

Aircraft

PictureModelOriginTypeVariantIn ServiceNotes
RQ-20A Puma AE 2 systems Initial 2 systems with 4 drones and 2 ground stations each,[15] delivered through US military assistance in 2021, with possibly more to follow.
RQ-11B 1 system[16] Initial 1 system with 3 drones delivered on January 27, 2017, with possibly more to follow.
MAG Aerospace Super Swiper II Super Swiper II 6 system[17] Acquired under the Marine Forces Imaging and Targeting Support System (MITSS) project. Delivered starting 2017.

Watercraft

PictureModelOriginTypeVariantIn ServiceNotes
Riverine Patrol Boat 6 Similar, but larger version of the SURC used by the US Marines produced by Silver Ships Inc., purchased under FMS worth $6.5 million and introduced in September 2013[18]
CRRC >25 Similar to the CRRC used by the US Marines produced by Zodiac Marine. 25 units were handed over by the US military in June 2017[19] Prior to that several more already in service with PMC from previous acquisitions.
Coastal craft SOC – (+16) Similar, longer, but less gunned SOC-R used by the US Marines, being built locally and for delivery by 2019. For use by the Marine Special Operations Group (MARSOG)

Infantry weapons

PictureModelOriginTypeCaliberVariantIn ServiceNotes
Pistol

M1911 unknown Standard issue sidearm, mostly issued to officers. Majority are former EDA US Army stocks made by Colt, Springfield Armory, and Remington. Being replaced by TAC Ultra FS HC and Glock 17 Gen 4 as standard sidearm of the Philippine Army. Some pistols refurbished and upgraded by Government Arsenal.
TAC Ultra FS HC 45 ACP unknown (+5,000) 3,000 acquired by Armed Forces of the Philippines in 2017, for issue to all service branches. Majority went to the Philippine Army.[20] AFP ordered 60,000 units under AFP 0.45 caliber Hammer Fired Pistol acquisition project, around 5,000 units expected to go to Philippine Marines.
G21 SF 200+ Provided as a US government grant for MARSOG, delivery by June 2017.[21]
Glock 17 Gen 4 – (+5,000) Contract awarded to Glock Asia Pacific in September 2017 to supply 5,000 units to be issued to the Philippine Marines.[22]
Submachine gun
MP5A3
MP5A5
unknown Issued to Force Reconnaissance Battalion.[23]
Assault rifles, Battle rifles

A1
A1 (enhanced)
A1 Dissipator
A2
unknown Standard issue rifle, either made by Colt USA or Elisco Tool Philippines. Government Arsenal refurbishing M16A1-standard rifles to M16A1 (enhanced). Being replaced by the Remington R4A3 as standard-issue rifle
PVAR Unknown A variant of the Armalite AR-15 and M16 rifle, using a Pneumatic Valve and Rod system. Used by the Special Operations Command.
NFWS unknown Introduced in 2004, developed by the PMC based on M16A1 rifle after experiences in the MSSR. Used by MARSOG.
Colt M4 & M4A1
Remington R4A3
unknown
~7,412
Remington R4A3 to replace the M16A1 as the PMC's standard rifle. 6,443 units were ordered for the PMC by the AFP.[24] More expected from additional orders made by AFP. 969 more units from residual orders. Colt M4s are used by MARSOG.
Mk.18 Mod.0 unknown Granted by the US government, delivered in June 2017. Used by MARSOG.
CQB14.5 5.56 300 Granted by the US government, delivered in June 2017. Used by MARSOG. Similar to New Zealand Defence Force's MARS-L rifle.
D10RS
D14.5RS
unknown Used by MARSOG.most of the time uipt with a peq 2 and a red dot sight and a m320 grenade launcher[25]
M653
M653P
unknown Used by MARSOG.
SR88A 10 Donated by Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to Philippine Marine Corps.[26] Formerly from the inventory of the BSP's Security Services Department. Initial transfer of 10 units as rifles are phased out of BSP inventory.
M14 unknown Standard battle rifle, several were installed with optics and used as designated marksman rifles.
unknown Used for ceremonial purposes. Others distributed to ROTC units armed and trained by the Philippine Marine Corps.
Designated marksman rifles & Sniper rifles
M21 unknown
MSSR 4th Gen
MSSR 5th Gen
unknown Introduced in 1996, developed by the PMC based on M16A1 rifle. Primary sniper rifle of PMC Scout Snipers.
M40A3
M40A5
unknown
~100
Introduced the M700P in 2004, modified by the PMC to M40A3 standard to suit their requirements.[27] [28] 148 units of M40A5 ordered by the Philippine Navy in 2016, 85 were delivered in February 2017,[29] the rest were delivered before end of 2017. Marines received majority of the sniper rifles.
Anti-material sniper rifleM95unknown Used by Marine Scout Snipers.
Anti-material rifleM93 unknown Donated to the PMC by a private entity, in limited numbers.
Machine guns
Minimi 76 In limited service.[30]
System Defence MFR56 MFR56 160 Acquired to replace FN Minimi as standard 5.56mm squad automatic weapon. Public bid won by System Defence of Turkiye.[31] [32] Initial order delivered in 2023.
M60E3
M60E4
M60E6
unknown
230
unknown
Standard general purpose machine gun. 230 new M60E4 (Mk. 43) delivered in 2014. Several older M60E3 were refurbished to M60E4 standards by Government Arsenal. US provided several units of new M60E6 delivered in June 2017 for MARSOG.
M1919A4
M1919A6
unknown Used for static/base defense, mounted on vehicles, including gun trucks, and training of auxiliary and reserve units.[33] [34]
M2
M2A1
unknown Standard heavy machine gun. Either on tripod or vehicle mounted. Several more units received in 2021.
M134D 4 Delivered in June 2017.
Grenade launchers+
Grenade launcher40 mmM203
M203A1
M203EXPIC
LMP300L360
unknown
720
200
M203s are attached with M16A1 rifles, while M203A1 are attached with M4 rifles. 720 units of M203EXPIC grenade launchers acquired in 2015, and are attached with the Remington R4A3 rifles. 100 LMT LMP300L3260 grenade launchers donated by the US government and delivered to MARSOG in June 2017, and attached to LMT CQB 5.56mm rifles.
Grenade launcher40 mmM320unknownM320 stand-alone. Attached to HK416 carbine. Several units are in stand-alone system.
Grenade launcher40 mmM79unknown
Milkor MGLGrenade launcher40 mmM32A1unknownIn limited numbers.[35] [36]
STK 40 AGLAutomatic grenade launcher40 mmStandard88 ordered in 2014.[37]

Anti-tank and assault weapons

PictureModelOriginTypeCaliberVariantNotes
40mm Arsenal ATGL-L On 14 April 2021, 702 units of 40 mm ATGL-L rocket launcher plus associated accessories and ammunition were delivered by Bulgaria's Arsenal JSCo under a contract worth Php514.8 million.[38]

67mm Armbrust AT Sourced from Singapore, in limited numbers as an alternative to recoilless rifles.[39]
66mm unknown In limited service with the Force Reconnaissance Battalion.
105mm M40 Vehicle mounted, mostly on M151 or MMPV vehicles.
90mm M67 Standard shoulder-mounted assault and anti-tank weapon.

Anti-aircraft weapons

PictureModelOriginTypeVariantIn ServiceNotes
Towed Anti-Aircraft Guns
Sweden/ Single Naval Mk. 3
Twin Naval Mk. 16
16+ Formerly ship-mounted anti-aircraft guns, transferred to the PMC. Mounted on trailer carriages.[40] More being planned as the navy transfers more gun mounts to the PMC.
Switzerland/ Single Naval Mk. 10 No more than 127 units Formerly ship-mounted anti-aircraft guns, transferred to the PMC. Mounted on M35 -ton trucks.
Twin Naval Mk. 56 Formerly patrol boat-mounted guns, either mounted on a naval gun tub fitted on an M35 -ton trucks that tows the Bofors 40mm anti-aircraft gun trailers, or on trailer mounts.
Self-Propelled Anti-aircraft Weapon
Philippines/ M35 20mm SPAA(Equipped with an Mk 4 20mm cannon on a Mk 10 series mount)
M35 Twin 50 caliber(Equipped with an Mk 56 Mod 0 Twin .50 caliber machine gun turret)
2+[41] Constructed by the Philippine Marines based on the M35 Military Truck. Only 2 were supposedly made, however, reports also surfaced for additional 2 or more units due to the many pictures surfacing from these SPAA trucks.

Communication equipment

PictureModelOriginTypeVariantNotes
RF-5800H-MP Introduced in 2004. 15 units received in 2005, more units delivered in 2008[42] and 2011.[43]
RF-5800V-HH Introduced in 2004. 103 units received in 2005, More units delivered in 2008 and 2011.

Night-vision equipment

PictureModelOriginTypeVariantNotes
M914A
Night Optics Argus D-740 D-740 used on Night Fighting Weapon System Rifles[44]
Night Optics Gladius D-760 D-740 used on Night Fighting Weapon System Rifles
Litton M845 M845 Mk.II used on Night Fighting Weapon System Rifles
Target Pointer/ Illuminator/ Aiming Light

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 28 August 2019 . PH Navy to commission 4 AAVs, 3 multi-purpose attack vessels next month . live . https://archive.today/20240419123403/https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1158479/ph-navy-to-commission-4-aavs-3-multi-purpose-attack-vessels-next-month . 19 April 2024 . 19 April 2024 . Inquirer.net.
  2. Web site: 22 September 2019 . Philippine Marines conduct 'historic' training to reclaim an island . live . https://archive.today/20240419123656/https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3029868/philippine-marines-conduct-historic-training-using-new . 19 April 2024 . 19 April 2024 . South China Morning Post.
  3. Web site: 9 April 2019 . The Philippine Marine Corps's Re-Enhanced Amphibious Assault Capability . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231129221241/https://www.pitzdefanalysis.net/2019/04/philippine-navys-re-enhanced-amphibious.html . 29 November 2023 . 29 November 2023 . Pitz Defense Analysis.
  4. Web site: SIPRI arms transfer database. Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. December 29, 2013.
  5. Textron Marine & Land Systems Textron Marine & Land Delivers First Six Re-powered V-150 Combat Vehicles to Philippine Marine Corps
  6. Web site: Military acquires 23 new Humvee units . BusinessMirror.com.ph . November 14, 2011 . November 15, 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120406153226/http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/home/nation/19339-military-acquires-23-new-humvee-units . April 6, 2012 .
  7. Salarzon, JB: Special Report : P8 Billion na ang nagastos sa modernisasyon ng Army , Abante / Abante Tonight, August 2008.
  8. Web site: Army Truck: What Model is this? . June 30, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150531181017/http://www.timawa.net/forum/index.php?topic=36709.15 . May 31, 2015 . dead .
  9. Web site: IPMS Philippines | Look at what I stumbled upon! . ipmsphilippines.com . 6 June 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140228054212/http://ipmsphilippines.com/articles/newly-arrived-6x6s-for-the-army/ . 28 February 2014 . dead.
  10. https://www.facebook.com/MaxDefense/posts/pfbid035AHxGA8PG2PyYZmRALTqCTNzxTjai7cC8zGLFkfPHaSDZ59LL4fhmY88qASmanZ6l MaxDefense Philippines
  11. Danilo. Lazo. Juanita. Mercader. The AFP Self-Reliance Defense Posture (SRDP) Program: Leading the Nation Towards a New Direction . 151 . October 3, 2015 .
  12. IISS (2012), p. 277
  13. https://web.archive.org/web/20200127092814/https://www.janes.com/article/93816/expal-systems-to-provide-ammo-mortars-for-philippine-navy
  14. GlobalSecurity.org Philippine Marine Corps Equipment List
  15. https://www.facebook.com/MaxDefense/posts/pfbid0pvStxoipMvKLf29K9G9Yxa5AEFQHEyMEgCreCZZYeBLpEYcHwoRTA2XgF4MKchosl MaxDefense Philippines
  16. News: February 1, 2017 . U.S. Military Delivers Counterterrorism Equipment to the Philippine Army and Marine Corps . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20170202234231/https://ph.usembassy.gov/us-military-delivers-counterterrorism-equipment-philippine-army-marine-corps/ . February 2, 2017 . February 2, 2017 . US Embassy Manila . US Embassy Manila.
  17. News: PH set to buy surveillance equipment worth P684M . Dizon, Nikko . INQ.net/Philippine Daily Inquirer . December 13, 2013 . January 22, 2018.
  18. Web site: 26 September 2013 . U.S. Gives Philippine Marines Six Riverine Boats for Counter Terrorism Missions . live . https://archive.today/20240419125333/https://news.usni.org/2013/09/26/u-s-gives-philippine-marines-six-riverine-boats-counter-terrorism-missions . 19 April 2024 . 19 April 2024 . USNI News.
  19. Web site: June 5, 2017 . U.S. Military Presents New Weapons and Equipment to Philippine Marine Corps Commandant for Counterterror Fight . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20170605090943/https://ph.usembassy.gov/us-military-presents-new-weapons-equipment-philippine-marine-corps-commandant-counterterror-fight/ . June 5, 2017 . June 7, 2017 . US Embassy in the Philippines.
  20. Web site: Duterte distributes 3,000 pistols to AFP . Corrales . Nestor . July 18, 2017 . inquirer.net . July 29, 2017.
  21. Web site: PMC to get new anti-terror equipment from US gov't . https://web.archive.org/web/20170605121719/http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/992877 . dead . June 5, 2017 . June 2, 2017 . Philippine News Agency . June 3, 2017 .
  22. Web site: September 26, 2017 . Glock 17 Gen4 Wins Philippines Armed Forces Solicitation . live . https://archive.today/20240419125630/https://www.athlonoutdoors.com/article/glock-17-gen4-philippines-armed-forces/?%23glock-17-gen4-2 . 19 April 2024 . 19 April 2024 . tactical-life.com.
  23. http://www.filipinos-in-berlin.de/firearms.pdf GERMAN FIREARMS IN THE PHILIPPINES
  24. Web site: AFP . PAO . 10 August 2014 . AFP to Distribute Modern Assault Rifles to Army, Marines . live . https://archive.today/20140812023921/http://www.afp.mil.ph/index.php/8-afp-news/144-afp-to-distribute-modern-assault-rifles-to-army-marines . 12 August 2014 . 19 April 2024 . Armed Forces of the Philippines.
  25. Anti-Militarist Network Caught in the Act: H&K Selling Guns to Human Rights Abusers
  26. Web site: BSP donates firearms to PMC . Philippine Marine Corps . Philippine Marine Corps . 31 October 2023 . 18 September 2023.
  27. Web site:

    The Official Website of the PHILIPPINE NAVY

    . January 11, 2008. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20080111080029/http://www.navy.mil.ph/digest.html. January 11, 2008.
  28. Web site: October 10, 2013 . On assignment in Zambo with Marine snipers . live . https://archive.today/20131230065933/http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/330335/news/specialreports/on-assignment-in-zambo-with-marine-snipers . December 30, 2013 . December 30, 2013 . GMA News.
  29. Web site: 1 February 2017 . U.S. Military Delivers Counterterrorism Equipment to the Philippine Army and Marine Corps . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170202234231/https://ph.usembassy.gov/us-military-delivers-counterterrorism-equipment-philippine-army-marine-corps/ . 2 February 2017 . 19 April 2024 . US Embassy in the Philippines.
  30. Web site: P.6-B contract for 1,700 guns placed on hold . Inquirer.net . March 6, 2005 . October 2, 2015.
  31. Web site: Ardiansyah . Yulian . 12 July 2022 . MFR56 Selected For Philippine Marine Corps’ New SAW . live . https://archive.today/20240419130525/https://gbp.com.sg/stories/mfr56-selected-for-philippine-marine-corps-new-saw/ . 19 April 2024 . 20 July 2023 . Global Business Press.
  32. Web site: 11 July 2022 . Philippines Acquire Ultralight Machine Gun from Turkiye . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20230720074816/https://www.turdef.com/Article/philippines-acquire-ultralight-machine-gun-from-turkiye/1846?fbclid=IwAR3tsNZJKLmsBB8Sb4HlYOCEPIyn-fXvZvKsE8c8N10d7Flk_xDVy6D1l9g . 20 July 2023 . 20 July 2023 . TurDef Global Defense News.
  33. Web site: Philippine Marines Reintroduce Old Kit- Forecast International. emarketalerts.forecast1.com.
  34. Web site: The M1919 .30 cal MG: Alive and well in the AFP.
  35. Web site: USMCs New M-32s/ MSGLs: Hitting the Field .
  36. Web site: Milkor grenade launcher .
  37. http://dnd.gov.ph/transparency/procurement/DND_BAC/Notice_to_proceeds/NTP-TIEN.pdf Notice to Proceed
  38. Web site: Squad Rocket Launcher Light Acquisition Project of the Philippine Navy (Marines) . Montero, Max . Philippine Defense Resource . August 25, 2019 . August 25, 2020.
  39. Web site: Armbrust in the AFP. June 6, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20140106180402/http://www.timawa.net/forum/index.php?topic=4229.0. January 6, 2014. dead.
  40. Web site: Philippines' anti-aircraft guns! . December 30, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131230235251/http://www.timawa.net/forum/index.php?topic=1520.0 . December 30, 2013 . dead .
  41. Web site: ANGARA BATS FOR LAW EMPOWERING PH MARINES . 10 March 2018 . www.senate.gov.ph. 2020-06-19.
  42. Web site: 12 June 2007 . Radios, Helicopters for the Philippines . live . https://archive.today/20131222092407/http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/radios-helicopters-for-the-philippines-03366/ . 22 December 2013 . 19 April 2024 . Defense Industry Daily.
  43. Web site: Philippine Army is Expanding. June 9, 2011. Asia Pacific Defense. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120414013008/http://apdforum.com/en_GB/article/rmiap/articles/online/features/2011/06/09/philippines-army-firearms. April 14, 2012.
  44. Web site: Night Fighting Weapon System . Security Arms.com . October 6, 2015.
  45. Web site: 28 January 2022 . BrahMos - Philippines deal becomes official . live . https://archive.today/20240419124234/https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2022/01/brahmos-philippines-deal-becomes-official/ . 19 April 2024 . 19 April 2024 . Naval News.
  46. Web site: 2024-04-18 . India to deliver 1st batch of BrahMos missiles to Philippines on Friday . live . https://archive.today/20240419122018/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/india-to-deliver-1st-batch-of-brahmos-missiles-to-philippines-on-friday-101713454296587.html . 2024-04-19 . 2024-04-18 . Hindustan Times . en.
  47. Web site: Singh . Mayank . 2024-04-04 . India to complete largest defence export deal; BrahMos missiles set to reach Philippines . live . https://archive.today/20240419124457/https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2024/Apr/18/india-to-complete-largest-defence-export-deal-brahmos-missiles-set-to-reach-philippines . 2024-04-19 . 2024-04-18 . The New Indian Express . en.
  48. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/india-sends-a-deterrent-for-bully-china-in-its-backyard/articleshow/109438311.cms