The Philippine News Agency reported that the Philippine Army (PA) received a tank gunnery simulator. The newly delivered tank gunnery simulation system of the Philippine Army would greatly enhance the capabilities of units tasked to operate the service’s incoming light tanks. The PHP36 million simulator, which was delivered early this month, was acquired from Wolfberry Asia – PT Indocertes Joint Venture to provide training to PA light tank crews in using their 105mm main guns. The PA, especially its Armor Division, is expected to undertake the delivery of 20 Elbit Systems Land Sabrah (General Dynamic ASCOD) Light Tanks by this year.
“The Tank Gunnery Simulation System is part of the first list on the Horizon 2 of the RAFPMP (Revised Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program). (The) project is yet to be completed in the first quarter of this year. Once delivered to the Army, an inspection will be conducted for its acceptance. The tank gunnery simulator would enhance the skills and capabilities of our Army personnel in the performance of their given tasks/unit missions,” PA spokesperson Col. Xerxes Trinidad said in a message to reporters Tuesday night.
The tank gunnery simulation system would be accepted into service once inspected and approved by the Technical Inspection and Acceptance Committee (TIAC). This is to check that what has been specified in the order must be delivered accordingly. The TIAC is the part where the PA makes its final technical inspection and decision to accept the newly-delivered equipment or platforms. The Technical Inspection and Acceptance Committee needs to convene and have the schedule.
Philippine blog MaxDefense reported that the Department of National Defense (DND) has released the Notice to Proceed (NTP) for the Tank Gunnery Simulator Acquisition Project, in favor of the Joint Venture of Wolfberry Asia Pte Ltd. and PT Indocertes, with the document dated 30 April 2020. Wolfberry Asia is based in Singapore, while PT Indocertes is an Indonesian simulator manufacturer. Since the NTP was dated as early as April 2020, it is expected that they are to deliver the Tank Gunnery Simulator within 270 calendar days, or around 9 months from the release of NTP. PT. Indocertes produces defense industrial goods, including Tank Simulator and Cannon (M113, Arisgator, Howitzer) and Basic / Portable & Advanced.
