This is a list of equipment used by the Philippine Marine Corps, a unit under the Philippine Navy that specializes in amphibious warfare. The marine corps has made use of its existing equipment conduct its operations while modernization projects are underway. The Republic Act No. 7898 declares the policy of the State to modernize the military to a level where it can effectively and fully perform its constitutional mandate to uphold the sovereignty and preserve the patrimony of the republic. The law, as amended, has set conditions that should be satisfied when the defense department procures major equipment and weapon systems for the marine corps.

Armored vehicles

Picture Model Origin Type Variant In Service Notes
AAV7A1  Republic of Korea
 United States		 Amphibious Assault Vehicle KAAV7A1 8[1][2]
Commando  United States Armoured personnel carrier V-150 18 Delivery starting 1975,[3] at least 18 known in service[4] and 12 refurbished in 2007.[5]
LAV-300  United States Armored personnel carrier & Fire Support Vehicle V-300 APC
V-300 FSV		 12
11		 Introduced in early 90s. 23 in service as of 2012,[6] 1 FSV destroyed in enemy action.

Utility vehicles

Picture Model Origin Type Variant In Service Notes
Kia KLTV  Republic of Korea Armored Tactical Vehicle K151 1 Donated by Kia Motors for evaluation for future Light Tactical Vehicle requirement. Currently used for convoy escort duties. 1 transferred from the Philippine Army.
AM General HMMWV  United States Light Utility Vehicle M998A1
M1038A1
M1025A1		 unknown Divided into several variants and series
Maxi-Ambulance  United States Light Utility Vehicle M1152 4 23 delivered to AFP in November 2011,[7] PMC received 4 units.
Marine Multi-purpose Vehicle  Philippines 1/2-ton Light Utility Vehicle MMPV 8 A 4x4 prototype utility vehicle used and manufactured by the PMC. The vehicle is rumored to be a heavily refurbished Mitsubishi Pajero while having a similar concept of the HMMWV. Tests were conducted within 2005–2006. 8 units were produced, while some units are equipped with the M40 recoilless rifle.
Delta Mini Cruiser  Philippines 1/4-ton Light Utility Vehicle M1777 unknown Divided into several variants and series, including short and stretched utility and armed variants, and modified variants for specialized units.
M151  United States 1/4-ton Light Utility Vehicle and Weapons Carrier Standard – In Service, several carrying M40 106mm recoilless rifle.
Kia KM45 Series  Republic of Korea 1 1/2-ton Utility Vehicle
Field Ambulance		 KM450
KM451		 <50
12		 651 purchased by AFP on 2007, 61 units shared by Navy/Marines and Air Force[8]
60 km-451 field ambulance purchased by AFP in 2012, 12 assigned to the Marines.
Freightliner M2  United States Utility Truck M2 106 Crew Cab 6 Hauler for Riverine Patrol Boat trailer, each with RPB trailer.[9]
M35 Truck  United States 2 1/2-ton Utility Vehicle M35 – Divided into several variants and series. More delivered in 2013.
Kia KM25 Series  Republic of Korea 2 1/2-ton Utility Vehicle KM250 – Several dozens received in multiple batches acquired by the Philippine Navy and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
M939 truck  United States Heavy Utility Vehicle M923 – Several delivered to AFP in 2013, several units for the Marines.[10]
Kia KM50 Series  Republic of Korea 5-ton Utility Vehicle KM500 6 155mm Artillery prime mover, 6 units delivered in 2012.
Mack Defense Granite  United States Heavy Utility Truck Granite 4x4 Tractor 8 Tank transporter tractor for AAVs.[11]
LARC-V  United States Amphibious Support Vehicle LARC-V 5 Most refurbished in 2006.

Artillery

Picture Model Origin Type Variant In Service Notes
Mortar
M75 mortar  Philippines 60mm Mortar M75 unknown Several hundred units were produced as part of the AFP Self-Reliance Defense Posture Program starting 1977, several distributed for the PMC.[12]
M29 mortar  United States 81mm Mortar M29 unknown In service.[6]
EXPAL M-98 mortar  Spain 81mm Dismounted Mortar M-98 – (+30) Ordered as part of the RAFPMP Horizon 2 phase.[13]
Field Artillery
Soltam M-71  Israel 155mm Towed Howitzer M-71 6 First batch delivered April 2017. Second batch delivered June 2017. In service.[citation needed]
M101  United States 105mm Towed Howitzer M101 ~23 Total 150 delivered to the AFP, majority with the Army. Delivered in 1957–1958.[3]
Mod 56  Italy 105mm Towed Howitzer Mod 56 ~20 Total 120 delivered to AFP, majority went to the Army. Delivered in 1983.[3][4]

Aircraft

Picture Model Origin Type Variant In Service Notes
AeroVironment RQ-20 Puma  United States Miniature UAV RQ-20A Puma AE 2 systems Initial 2 systems with 4 drones and 2 ground stations each,[14] delivered through US military assistance in 2021, with possibly more to follow.
AeroVironment RQ-11 Raven  United States Miniature UAV RQ-11B 1 system[15] Initial 1 system with 3 drones delivered on January 27, 2017, with possibly more to follow.
MAG Aerospace Super Swiper II  United States Small UAV Super Swiper II 6 system[16] Acquired under the Marine Forces Imaging and Targeting Support System (MITSS) project. Delivered starting 2017.[citation needed]

Watercraft

Picture Model Origin Type Variant In Service Notes
Riverine Patrol Boat  United States Small unit riverine craft 40' x 10'8" SURC 6 Similar, but larger version of the SURC used by the US Marines produced by Silver Ships Inc., purchased under FMS worth $6.5 million and introduced in September 2013[17]
Combat Rubber Raiding Craft  United States Combat Rubber Raiding Craft CRRC >25 Similar to the CRRC used by the US Marines produced by Zodiac Marine. 25 units were handed over by the US military in June 2017[18] Prior to that several more already in service with PMC from previous acquisitions.
Coastal craft  Philippines Special Operations Craft SOC – (+16) Similar, longer, but less gunned SOC-R used by the US Marines, being built locally and for delivery by 2019. For use by the Marine Special Operations Group (MARSOG)[citation needed]

Infantry weapons

Picture Model Origin Type Caliber Variant In Service Notes
Pistol
M1911 pistol  United States
 Philippines		 Semi-automatic pistol .45 ACP M1911 unknown Standard issue sidearm, mostly issued to officers. Majority are former EDA US Army stocks made by Colt, Springfield Armory, and Remington. Being replaced by TAC Ultra FS HC and Glock 17 Gen 4 as standard sidearm of the Philippine Army. Some pistols refurbished and upgraded by Government Arsenal.
Rock Island Armory 1911 series  Philippines Semi-automatic pistol .45 ACP TAC Ultra FS HC 45 ACP unknown (+5,000) 3,000 acquired by Armed Forces of the Philippines in 2017, for issue to all service branches. Majority went to the Philippine Army.[19] AFP ordered 60,000 units under AFP 0.45 caliber Hammer Fired Pistol acquisition project, around 5,000 units expected to go to Philippine Marines.[citation needed]
Glock 21  United States Semi-automatic pistol .45 ACP G21 SF 200+ Provided as a US government grant for MARSOG, delivery by June 2017.[20]
Glock 17  Austria Semi-automatic pistol 9×19mm Parabellum Glock 17 Gen 4 – (+5,000) Contract awarded to Glock Asia Pacific in September 2017 to supply 5,000 units to be issued to the Philippine Marines.[21]
Submachine gun
Heckler & Koch MP5  Germany Submachine gun 9×19mm MP5A3
MP5A5		 unknown Issued to Force Reconnaissance Battalion.[22]
Assault rifles, Battle rifles
M16 rifle  United States
 Philippines		 Assault rifle 5.56×45mm A1
A1 (enhanced)
A1 Dissipator
A2		 unknown Standard issue rifle, either made by Colt USA or Elisco Tool Philippines. Government Arsenal refurbishing M16A1-standard rifles to M16A1 (enhanced). Being replaced by the Remington R4A3 as standard issue rifle
PVAR rifle  Philippines Assault rifle 5.56×45mm NATO PVAR Unknown A variant of the Armalite AR-15 and M16 rifle, using a Pneumatic Valve and Rod system. Used by the Special Operations Command.
Night Fighting Weapons System  Philippines Assault rifle 5.56×45mm NFWS unknown Introduced in 2004, developed by the PMC based on M16A1 rifle after experiences in the MSSR. Used by MARSOG.[23]
M4/M4A1  United States Assault rifle, Carbine 5.56×45mm Colt M4 & M4A1
Remington R4A3		 unknown
~7,412		 Remington R4A3 to replace the M16A1 as the PMC's standard rifle. 6,443 units were ordered for the PMC by the AFP.[24] More expected from additional orders made by AFP. 969 more units from residual orders. Colt M4s are used by MARSOG.
LMT Mk.18 CQBR  United States Assault rifle,Carbine 5.56×45mm Mk.18 Mod.0 unknown Granted by the US government, delivered in June 2017. Used by MARSOG.[20]
LMT CQB  United States Assault rifle, Carbine 5.56×45mm CQB14.5 5.56 300 Granted by the US government, delivered in June 2017. Used by MARSOG.[20] Similar to New Zealand Defence Force's MARS-L rifle.
Heckler & Koch HK416  Germany Assault rifle 5.56×45mm D10RS
D14.5RS		 unknown Used by MARSOG.[25]
CAR-15  United States Assault rifle, Carbine 5.56×45mm M653
M653P		 unknown Used by MARSOG.
SR 88  Singapore Assault rifle, Carbine 5.56×45mm SR88A 10 Donated by Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to Philippine Marine Corps.[26] Formerly from the inventory of the BSP's Security Services Department. Initial transfer of 10 units as rifles are phased out of BSP inventory.
M14 rifle  United States Battle rifle / designated marksman rifle 7.62×51mm M14 unknown Standard battle rifle, several were installed with optics and used as designated marksman rifles.
M1 Garand  United States Semi-automatic rifle .30-06 Springfield M1 unknown Used for ceremonial purposes. Others distributed to ROTC units armed and trained by the Philippine Marine Corps.
Designated marksman rifles & Sniper rifles
M21 Sniper Weapon System  United States Sniper rifle 7.62×51mm M21 unknown
Marine Scout Sniper Rifle  Philippines Designated marksman rifle 5.56×45mm MSSR 4th Gen
MSSR 5th Gen		 unknown Introduced in 1996, developed by the PMC based on M16A1 rifle.[23] Primary sniper rifle of PMC Scout Snipers.
Remington Model 700  United States Sniper rifle 7.62×51mm M40A3
M40A5		 unknown
~100		 Introduced the M700P in 2004, modified by the PMC to M40A3 standard to suit their requirements.[23][27] 148 units of M40A5 ordered by the Philippine Navy in 2016, 85 were delivered in February 2017,[28] the rest were delivered before end of 2017. Marines received majority of the sniper rifles.
Barrett M95  United States Anti-material sniper rifle .50 BMG M95 unknown Used by Marine Scout Snipers.[23]
Zastava M93 Black Arrow  Serbia Anti-material rifle .50 BMG M93 unknown Donated to the PMC by a private entity, in limited numbers.
Machine guns
FN Minimi  Belgium Light machine gun 5.56×45mm Minimi 76 In limited service.[29]
System Defence MFR56  Turkey Light machine gun 5.56×45mm MFR56 160 Acquired to replace FN Minimi as standard 5.56mm squad automatic weapon. Public bid won by System Defence of Turkiye.[30][31] Initial order delivered in 2023.
M60 machine gun  United States General-purpose machine gun 7.62×51mm M60E3
M60E4
M60E6		 unknown
230
unknown		 Standard general purpose machine gun. 230 new M60E4 (Mk. 43) delivered in 2014. Several older M60E3 were refurbished to M60E4 standards by Government Arsenal. US provided several units of new M60E6 delivered in June 2017 for MARSOG.[20]
M1919 Browning machine gun  United States Medium machine gun .30-06 Springfield M1919A4
M1919A6		 unknown Used for static/base defense, mounted on vehicles, including gun trucks, and training of auxiliary and reserve units.[32][33]
M2 Browning  United States Heavy machine gun .50 BMG M2
M2A1		 unknown Standard heavy machine gun. Either on tripod or vehicle mounted. Several more units received in 2021.
M134 Minigun  United States Rotary machine gun 7.62×51mm NATO M134D 4 Delivered in June 2017.[20]
Grenade launchers
M203 grenade launcher  United States Grenade launcher 40mm M203
M203A1
M203EXPIC
LMP300L360 		unknown
720
200 		M203s are attached with M16A1 rifles, while M203A1 are attached with M4 rifles. 720 units of M203EXPIC grenade launchers acquired in 2015, and are attached with the Remington R4A3 rifles. 100 LMT LMP300L3260 grenade launchers donated by the US government and delivered to MARSOG in June 2017, and attached to LMT CQB 5.56mm rifles.[20]
M320 Grenade Launcher Module  Germany Grenade launcher 40mm M320 unknown M320 stand-alone. Attached to HK416 carbine. Several units are in stand-alone system.
M79 grenade launcher  United States Grenade launcher 40mm M79 unknown
Milkor MGL  United States Grenade launcher 40mm M32A1 unknown In limited numbers.[34][35]
STK 40 AGL  Singapore Automatic grenade launcher 40mm Standard 8 8 ordered in 2014.[36]

Anti-tank and assault weapons

Picture Model Origin Type Caliber Variant Notes
RPG-7  Bulgaria Rocket-propelled grenade launcher 40mm Arsenal ATGL-L On 14 April 2021, 702 units of 40mm ATGL-L rocket launcher plus associated accessories and ammunition were delivered by Bulgaria's Arsenal JSCo under a contract worth Php514.8 million.[37]
Armbrust  Germany
 Singapore		 Anti-tank Weapon 67mm Armbrust AT Sourced from Singapore, in limited numbers as an alternative to recoilless rifles.[38]
M72 LAW  United States Anti-tank Weapon 66mm unknown In limited service with the Force Reconnaissance Battalion.
M40  United States Recoilless rifle 105mm M40 Vehicle mounted, mostly on M151 or MMPV vehicles.
M67  United States Recoilless rifle 90mm M67 Standard shoulder-mounted assault and anti-tank weapon.

Anti-aircraft weapons

Picture Model Origin Type Variant In Service Notes
Towed Anti-Aircraft Guns
Bofors 40mm L/60  Sweden/ United States Anti-Aircraft gun Single Naval Mk. 3
Twin Naval Mk. 16		 16+ Formerly ship-mounted anti-aircraft guns, transferred to the PMC. Mounted on trailer carriages.[4][39] More being planned as the navy transfers more gun mounts to the PMC.
Oerlikon 20mm gun   Switzerland/ United States Anti-Aircraft gun Single Naval Mk. 10 No more than 127 units Formerly ship-mounted anti-aircraft guns, transferred to the PMC. Mounted on M35 2+1⁄2-ton trucks.[4][39]
M2 Browning  United States Heavy machine gun Twin Naval Mk. 56 – Formerly patrol boat-mounted guns, either mounted on a naval gun tub fitted on an M35 2+1⁄2-ton trucks that tows the Bofors 40mm anti-aircraft gun trailers, or on trailer mounts.[4][39]
Self-Propelled Anti-aircraft Weapon
M35 SPAA Trucks  Philippines/ United States Self-propelled anti-aircraft weapon M35 20mm SPAA(Equipped with an Mk 4 20mm cannon on a Mk 10 series mount)
M35 Twin 50 caliber(Equipped with an Mk 56 Mod 0 Twin .50 caliber machine gun turret)		 2+[40] Constructed by the Philippine Marines based on the M35 Military Truck.[40] Only 2 were supposedly made, however, reports also surfaced for additional 2 or more units due to the many pictures surfacing from these SPAA trucks.

Communication equipment

Picture Model Origin Type Variant Notes
AN/PRC-150 Falcon II  United States Manpack Combat Radio RF-5800H-MP Introduced in 2004. 15 units received in 2005, more units delivered in 2008[41] and 2011.[42]
AN/PRC-152 Falcon III  United States Handheld Combat Radio RF-5800V-HH Introduced in 2004. 103 units received in 2005, More units delivered in 2008[41] and 2011.[42]

Night-vision equipment

Picture Model Origin Type Variant Notes
AN/PVS-14  United States Monocular Night Vision Device M914A
AN/PVS-7  United States Binocular Night Vision Device –
Night Optics Argus D-740  United States Night Vision Weapons Sight D-740 used on Night Fighting Weapon System Rifles[43]
Night Optics Gladius D-760  United States Night Vision Weapons Sight D-740 used on Night Fighting Weapon System Rifles[43]
Litton M845  United States Night Vision Weapons Sight M845 Mk.II used on Night Fighting Weapon System Rifles[43]
AN/PEQ-2  United States Target Pointer/ Illuminator/ Aiming Light –

Acquisition programs

The Philippine Marine Corps' modernization program, meaning its equipment and weapon system acquisitions, is managed by the Philippine Navy. This is because it is a unit under the Philippine Navy and not a main branch of the AFP.

Picture Project Title/
Model 		Origin Type Quantity Notes
BrahMos  India Shore-Based Anti-Ship Missile System 3 Missile Batteries Will be operated by the Coastal Defense Regiment. The contract was signed on 28 January 2022. Delivery was scheduled by December 2023 but was moved until early 2024.[44]

See also

References

  1. ^ "PH Navy to commission 4 AAVs, 3 multi-purpose attack vessels next month". 28 August 2019.
  2. ^ "Philippine Marines conduct 'historic' training to reclaim an island". 22 September 2019.
  3. ^ a b c "SIPRI arms transfer database". Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Retrieved December 29, 2013.
  4. ^ a b c d e GlobalSecurity.org Philippine Marine Corps Equipment List
  5. ^ Textron Marine & Land Systems Textron Marine & Land Delivers First Six Re-powered V-150 Combat Vehicles to Philippine Marine Corps
  6. ^ a b IISS (2012), p. 277
  7. ^ "Military acquires 23 new Humvee units". BusinessMirror.com.ph. November 14, 2011. Archived from the original on April 6, 2012. Retrieved November 15, 2011.
  8. ^ Salarzon, JB: Special Report : P8 Billion na ang nagastos sa modernisasyon ng Army , Abante / Abante Tonight, August 2008.
  9. ^ "Army Truck: What Model is this?". Archived from the original on May 31, 2015. Retrieved June 30, 2014.
  10. ^ "IPMS Philippines | Look at what I stumbled upon!". ipmsphilippines.com. Archived from the original on 28 February 2014. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
  11. ^ MaxDefense Philippines
  12. ^ Lazo, Danilo; Mercader, Juanita. The AFP Self-Reliance Defense Posture (SRDP) Program: Leading the Nation Towards a New Direction (PDF) (Report). p. 151. Retrieved October 3, 2015.
  13. ^ https://web.archive.org/web/20200127092814/https://www.janes.com/article/93816/expal-systems-to-provide-ammo-mortars-for-philippine-navy
  14. ^ MaxDefense Philippines
  15. ^ "U.S. Military Delivers Counterterrorism Equipment to the Philippine Army and Marine Corps". US Embassy Manila. US Embassy Manila. February 1, 2017. Retrieved February 2, 2017.
  16. ^ Dizon, Nikko (December 13, 2013). "PH set to buy surveillance equipment worth P684M". INQ.net/Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved January 22, 2018.
  17. ^ "U.S. Gives Philippine Marines Six Riverine Boats for Counter Terrorism Missions". 26 September 2013.
  18. ^ "U.S. Military Presents New Weapons and Equipment to Philippine Marine Corps Commandant for Counterterror Fight". US Embassy in the Philippines. June 5, 2017. Retrieved June 7, 2017.
  19. ^ Corrales, Nestor (July 18, 2017). "Duterte distributes 3,000 pistols to AFP". inquirer.net. Retrieved July 29, 2017.
  20. ^ a b c d e f "PMC to get new anti-terror equipment from US gov't". Philippine News Agency. June 2, 2017. Archived from the original on June 5, 2017. Retrieved June 3, 2017.
  21. ^ "Glock 17 Gen4 Wins Philippines Armed Forces Solicitation". tactical-life.com. September 26, 2017.
  22. ^ GERMAN FIREARMS IN THE PHILIPPINES Archived February 24, 2012, at the Wayback Machine by Roman Deckert, seen September 24, 2008
  23. ^ a b c d "::: The Official Website of the PHILIPPINE NAVY". January 11, 2008. Archived from the original on January 11, 2008.
  24. ^ AFP, PAO. "AFP to Distribute Modern Assault Rifles to Army, Marines". www.afp.mil.ph.
  25. ^ Anti-Militarist Network Caught in the Act: H&K Selling Guns to Human Rights Abusers
  26. ^ "BSP donates firearms to PMC". Philippine Marine Corps. Philippine Marine Corps. 18 September 2023. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  27. ^ "On assignment in Zambo with Marine snipers". GMA News. October 10, 2013. Retrieved December 30, 2013.
  28. ^ "U.S. Military Delivers Counterterrorism Equipment to the Philippine Army and Marine Corps". US Embassy in the Philippines. February 2017.
  29. ^ "P.6-B contract for 1,700 guns placed on hold". Inquirer.net. March 6, 2005. Retrieved October 2, 2015.
  30. ^ Ardiansyah, Yulian (12 July 2022). "MFR56 Selected For Philippine Marine Corps' New SAW". Global Business Press. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
  31. ^ "Philippines Acquire Ultralight Machine Gun from Turkiye". TurDef. 11 July 2022. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
  32. ^ "Philippine Marines Reintroduce Old Kit- Forecast International". emarketalerts.forecast1.com.
  33. ^ "The M1919 .30 cal MG: Alive and well in the AFP".
  34. ^ "USMCs New M-32s/ MSGLs: Hitting the Field".
  35. ^ "Milkor grenade launcher".
  36. ^ Notice to Proceed
  37. ^ Montero, Max (August 25, 2019). "Squad Rocket Launcher Light Acquisition Project of the Philippine Navy (Marines)". Philippine Defense Resource. Retrieved August 25, 2020.
  38. ^ "Armbrust in the AFP". Archived from the original on January 6, 2014. Retrieved June 6, 2012.
  39. ^ a b c "Philippines' anti-aircraft guns!". Archived from the original on December 30, 2013. Retrieved December 30, 2013.
  40. ^ a b "ANGARA BATS FOR LAW EMPOWERING PH MARINES". www.senate.gov.ph. 10 March 2018. Retrieved 2020-06-19.
  41. ^ a b "Radios, Helicopters for the Philippines".
  42. ^ a b "Philippine Army is Expanding". Asia Pacific Defense. Archived from the original on April 14, 2012. Retrieved June 9, 2011.
  43. ^ a b c "Night Fighting Weapon System". Security Arms.com. Retrieved October 6, 2015.
  44. ^ "BrahMos - Philippines deal becomes official". 28 January 2022.
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