PAF to Recycle Scorpion Tanks

The decommissioned Scorpion tanks by the Philippine defense will be recycled in order to increase the number of commissioned armored vehicles used for military operations.

The recent Php888 million contract with Elbit Systems an Israeli Defense manufacturer with Philippine defense Department to upgrade 24 M113 personnel carries.

 

A part of the said project was the two man turret Scorpion that is equipped with 7.62mm machine gun and 76mm cannon which will be transforming as fire support vehicles from being a “battle taxi”

Fire support vehicles as its new transformation will be equipped with thermal imaging and fire control system which will enable the armored vehicle to detect targets in longer distance and improve its weapon accuracy due to its upgraded all weather capability.

The 76mm gun will be useful for counterinsurgency military operations as this can fire at a wide range of ammunition which includes smoke, illuminating, high explosive and high squash head explosives. With its 25mm cannons this can increase its fire support in fighting infantry vehicles.

Other tanks will also be equipped with .50mm heavy caliber machine gun, those all 24 M113 tanks will be upgraded to amphibious capability and upgraded armor protection.

Additional 4 M113 repair and armored recover vehicles will also be given by the Israeli firm, so that total of 28 vehicles were expected to be delivered January of 2015 and this will be commissioned again on infantry units.