Elbit Systems awarded contract for Sabrah light tanks and direct-fire support vehicles

Israeli company Elbit Systems announced on 26 January that it has been awarded a USD172 million contract to supply an undisclosed number of Sabrah ASCOD 2 light tanks and Sabrah Pandur II direct-fire support vehicles to the army of a country in the Asia-Pacific region.

Elbit Systems announced on 26 January that it has been awarded a USD172 million contract for the supply Sabrah ASCOD 2 light tanks (similar to this one) and Sabrah Pandur II direct-fire support vehicles to the army of an Asian country, which Janes understands to be the Philippines. (Elbit Systems)

The Haifa-based firm said that the contract will be performed over a three-year period, pointing out that the light tanks will be based on the tracked ASCOD 2 platform manufactured by General Dynamics European Land Systems Santa Bárbara, while the fire support vehicles will be based on the Pandur II 8×8 platform manufactured by Excalibur Army.

Both platforms will be fitted with a 105 mm turret and equipped with a range of Elbit-made sub-systems, including electro-optical sights, fire control systems, the Torch-X battle management systems, as well as E-LynX software-defined radio systems and life support systems, said the company, adding that the “30-ton Sabrah ‘light tank solution’ provides a unique combination of powerful fire capacity and high manoeuvrability”.

Elbit did not reveal the identity of the customer or how many vehicles are on order, but Janes understands that the platforms are meant to meet a Philippine Army (PA) requirement under the service's light tank and wheeled armoured personnel carrier acquisition projects.