In order to provide the personnel of the 1st and 2nd Field Artillery Batteries (155 Self-Propelled) with the right knowledge and skills on the newly acquired 155mm Self-Propelled (SP) Howitzer (ATMOS 2000), the Army Artillery Regiment (AAR), Philippine Army stationed at Fort Ramon Magsaysay, Palayan City, Nueva Ecija conducted the opening ceremony of the 155mm SP (ATMOS 2000) In-Country Training on March 14, 2022. The training composed of 109 students, aims to provide technical and operational understanding of the project’s systems in order to reach the ability to execute a full fire sequence.
During the ceremony, the Acting Regiment Commander, Col Ray Claudio R Abaya GSC (FA) PA, Acting Regiment Commander highlighted in his message a famous adage “Failing to Prepare, is Preparing to Fail”. He then reminded the training participants that if they do not prepare, they can never succeed to achieve their desired goal, or might reach the goal but the outcome may be mediocre. “What we will do or what you should do is to prepare profoundly, train religiously so that you will never fail”, Col Abaya concluded.
Elbit Systems Land & C4I has finally delivered the Soltam ATMOS 155mm/52cal self propelled howitzers for the Philippine Army. These were acquired under the 155mm Howtizer, Self Propelled System Acquisition Project as part of the Horizon 2 phase priority projects of the Revised Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program. The Soltam ATMOS uses the MAN cabin-protected off-road truck platform. It confirmed that the ATMOS contract has a value of PHP2.386 billion (USD47.2 million) and features the supply and delivery of 12 units.
ATMOS (Autonomous Truck Mounted howitzer System) is a 155 mm/52 calibre self-propelled gun system manufactured by Israeli military manufacturer Soltam Systems (now Elbit System). The ATMOS is fitted with a 155 mm/52 calibre ordnance which conforms to NATO Joint Ballistic Memorandum of Understanding (JBMoU), and is mounted on a 6 × 6 cross-country truck chassis. With a 155 mm/52 barrel, a 41 km maximum range can be achieved, using Extended Range Full-Bore – Base Bleed (ERFB-BB) projectile, 30 km firing the NATO L15 High Explosive (HE) projectile and 24.5 km firing the older M107 HE projectile.
