Philippines receive M125A2 armored 120mm mortar carriers from Israel

 

M125A2 armored mortar carriers being unloaded during delivery at Subic Bay port. Photo c/o Philippine Army.

The Philippine Army (PA) confirmed that it has received a delivery of 15 M125A2 armored mortar carriers with 120mm Mounted Mortar System.

The vehicles arrived in the country on 29 December 2021, and were delivered to the Philippine Army’s Armor “Pambato” Division.

The delivery was made by Israeli defense company Elbit Systems, which was the designated supplier under a Government-to-Government deal between the Philippines Department of National Defense (DND) and Israel’s Ministry of Defense worth PHP1.094 billion (US$21.88 million) signed in 2019 for the delivery of 15 armored mortar carriers.

According to Philippine defense website Philippine Defense Resource, the vehicles are equipped with the Soltam Cardom 120mm Mounted Mortar System, as well as Elbit’s Combat NG fire control and command solutions.

The Cardom 120mm MMS is an autonomous, computerized system that can be operated by 4 crew members, has an effective range of up to 7,000 meters, and a maximum fire rate of 16 rounds per minute.

The Philippine Army already operates 5 M125A2 armored mortar carriers which were converted from existing M113A2 vehicles and were delivered in 2019. But these were armed with the Soltam Cardom 81mm MMS. 

According to Philippine defense page MaxDefense Philippines, Elbit System’s contract also includes the conversion of Cardom 81mm MMS to 120mm by replacing the mortar’s barrel.




[1] Philippine Army Armor Division
[2] Philippine Defense Resource
[3] MaxDefense Philippines