FNSS Savunma Sistemleri A.Ş., Turkey’s leading defense exporter, recently delivered six Upgraded Advanced Infantry Fighting Vehicles to the Armed Forces of the Philippines. To mark these deliveries, The Armed Forces of the Philippines held a formal Turn-Over and Commissioning Ceremony on 25 January 2010 at Camp Aguinaldo, Manila, Philippines, where His Excellency Adnan Başağa, Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey participated in the ceremonies.
Ambassador Başağa presented to Republic of Philippines Undersecretary for Finance and Armed Forces Modernization Affairs, Antonio L. Romero II, a model of the Upgraded Advanced Infantry Fighting Vehicle. Ambassador Başağa also delivered a speech in which he marked the significance of Turkey’s and FNSS’ role in contributing to the force modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and cited developments in trade between the two countries.
Mr. William Chen, FNSS Assistant General Manager, and Mr. İnan Güven, represented FNSS at the ceremonies. In his remarks, Mr. Chen noted that FNSS also manufactured and delivered to the Armed Forces of the Philippines an Armored Recovery Vehicle in 2004. He stated that the Armored Recovery Vehicle and the Upgraded Advanced Infantry Fighting Vehicles have commonality in their power packs, major components, and spares -- and these vehicles also have commonality with the U.S. Army’s inventory of over 6500 M113A3 Armored Personnel Carriers, so that there is an assurance of continued worldwide logistics supportability. Mr. Chen also stated that the force modernization capability resulting from the Upgraded Advanced Infantry Fighting Vehicles will help respond to today’s wide spectrum of possible security challenges. He also cited that the vehicles can be used during calamities and disasters, and that the Turkish Army has used their vehicles -- with their swim capability -- during floods, rescuing people.
The Turn-Over Ceremony was followed by a Commissioning Ceremony. Each of the vehicles was named for a Philippine hero. The Commissioning Ceremony was followed by the vehicles performing some maneuverability demonstrations and then parading by the grandstand in a Pass in Review for the senior dignitaries.