Philippines becomes first country to operate Israeli-made Sabrah light tanks, implementation of the 2021 year of the contract for the supply of new armored vehicles began. The Ministry of Defense announced the delivery of the first tank.
Israeli company Elbit Systems began deliveries of Sabrah light tanks to the Philippines (not to be confused with the Turkish Sabra tank based on the M60) own design. The Philippine military received the first tank from 20 ordered, he was brought into the country earlier this month, a 19 December demonstrated during the solemn ceremony, Commemorating the 87th Anniversary of the Philippine Armed Forces.
reportedly, light tank Sabrah will be part of the 1st tank battalion of the armored division “Pambato”. Rest 19 cars will arrive in the country at the beginning 2023 of the year. Currently, the first tank is undergoing the necessary tests..
The Israeli company Elbit Systems has developed a light tank Sabrah, and in two versions – tracked and wheeled. The classic version is placed on a Spanish-made ASCOD caterpillar platform, the Czech chassis Pandur II 8X8 is used as a wheelbase. Machine weight in both variants 30 tonnes, the turret is equipped with a 105 mm gun, Israeli equipment, includes sights, SUO, combat control system, means of communication, etc..
At the beginning 2021 the company reported, that she managed to sign a contract for the supply of Sabrah light tanks with one of the countries in the Asia-Pacific region, but what kind of, not reported. As it turned out, it was the Philippines, recently interested in light tanks. As part of the contract, the Philippine military will receive 18 tanks on tracked chassis, one command vehicle and one BREM. Besides, there was information about the purchase and 10 wheeled tanks on Pandur II 8X8 chassis, but there is no official confirmation of this yet.
It is worth noting, that earlier the Philippines signed a contract with the Turks for the supply 18 “medium” tanks Kaplan MT joint development.
