The AAVs were among the eight newly acquired amphibious vehicles from South Korean defense manufacturer Hanwha Techwin.
Four newly acquired amphibious assault vehicles (AAVs) were unveiled by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in ship-to-shore operations at a joint military exercise in Subic Bay in Zambales on Saturday, Sept. 21.
The unveiling rites were part of the joint interoperability exercise conducted by the AFP Joint Exercise DAGIT-PA, which seeks to enhance joint operations among ground, naval and aviation assets of the military.
The amphibious operations showcased the military’s ability to seize an objective in a scenario of an island recovery. During the operations, a team from Philippine Marine Infantry and Reservists launched the AAVs from the Philippine Navy landing dock, BRP Davao del Sur (LD 602).
The team from the Marines landed and conducted operations. The Philippine Air Force rotary-wing aircraft S-76A conducted casualty evacuation from shore to ship.
In a statement, Lt. Col. Henry Espinosa, commander of the Amphibious Landing Force, said the exercise was an opportunity to enhance the AFP’s proficiency in sea-to-land operations using the new amphibious assault vehicles.
“It seeks to develop our skills, techniques and capabilities during rapid deployment of troops from ship to shore under hazardous circumstances and during natural disasters or hostile enemy actions,” he said.
The four AAVs were among the eight newly acquired amphibious vehicles from South Korean defense manufacturer Hanwha Techwin.
More than 1,500 soldiers, including reservists and selected AFP support and separate units, took part in this year’s joint exercises. (Melo M. Acuña)