Philippine Army deploys ATMOS 2000 howitzers for operational tasking

The Philippine Army said that the ATMOS will boost the army's mobility and range, and enhance its indirect fire-support capability. (Soltam Systems)

The Philippine Army has deployed its Autonomous Truck Mounted howitzer System (ATMOS) 155 mm/52 calibre self-propelled artillery units to the service's 10th Field Artillery ‘Rolling Thunder' Battalion, marking the weapon system's entry into operational status.

The deployment was held on 21 September at Fort Magsaysay Military Reservation area in Nueva Ecija, which lies about 120 km north of Manila.

Videos of the deployment were released by the Philippine Army's official social media channels on the same day.

Philippine Army spokesperson Colonel Xerxes Trinidad told Janes on 27 June that the 10th Field Artillery Battalion operates under the service's artillery regiment. He further described the 12 artillery pieces as equipment that will boost the army's mobility and range and enhance its indirect fire-support capabilities.

The Philippine Army took delivery of the ATMOS units in December 2021 and conducted a three-day live firing exercise from 6 to 8 April 2022. This event marked the first in-country training programme for the weapons.

The Philippine Department of National Defense (DND) issued a ‘Notice to Proceed' (NTP) to Elbit Systems for the ATMOS acquisition in April 2020. The contract was valued at about USD47 million, covering the supply and delivery of 12 howitzer units to the Philippine Army.

The contract was signed by the DND and the International Defense Cooperation Directorate (SIBAT) of the Israel Ministry of Defense (MoD) under an inter-government agreement. All 12 howitzer units were delivered to the Philippine Army in December 2021.

Janes