Philippines to acquire 12,412 new Taurus T4 5.56x45mm rifles from Brazil

 

The Taurus T4 5.56 x 45mm rifle. Photo c/o Infodefesa.com.



The Philippine Army (PA) has selected the Taurus T4 5.56 x 45mm automatic rifle from Brazilian arms manufacturer Taurus Armas, to fulfil a requirement for more than 12,000 new rifles.

Taurus Armas announced on 13 January 2021 that they were awarded the project to supply 12,412 new M4-type/AR-15 based rifles for the Philippine Army worth US$7.3 million, or around US$590.78 per unit.

The deal allows Taurus Armas to strengthen its foothold in the Asian market, as it also bids to win an ongoing tender in India for up to 500,000 new Close Quarter Battle (CQB) rifles.

Once the new rifles are delivered, the Philippine Army will become the first military branch outside Brazil to use the T4 rifle. Currently the T4 is in use by the Brazilian military and police force, as well as foreign police organizations.

The Taurus T4 rifle passed rigorous qualification tests as specified by Philippine Army in their requirements, which was said to be among the most demanding in the world.

Taurus Armas has also designated its Philippine partner and Taurus distributor, Trust Trade, to provide aftersales support for the rifles, including technical assistance and spare parts support. Trust Trade was also previously involved in the supply of around 20,000 units of Taurus 9mm striker fired pistols to the Philippine National Police.

According to Philippine Defense Resource, the Philippine Army currently uses the M4 and M4A1 variants made by Colt, Lewis Machine & Tool, Remington, SIG Sauer, and rebuilds made by the Philippines' Government Arsenal using M16 rifles built locally by Elisco Tool Manufacturing Co.




[1] Taurus Armas
[2] Tecnodefesa Brazil
[3] Philippine Defense Resource

Philippines to acquire 12,412 new Taurus T4 5.56x45mm rifles from Brazil Philippines to acquire 12,412 new Taurus T4 5.56x45mm rifles from Brazil Reviewed by Asia Pacific Defense Journal on January 17, 2021 Rating: 5

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