Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff, Gen. Hernando Iriberri (left), leads the arrival honors for President Benigno S. Aquino III during the 80th founding anniversary of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Monday (Dec. 21, 2015) at Clark Air Base in Pampanga province. (MNS photo)
MANILA (Mabuhay) – The military has acquired over 700 brand new trucks that are expected to boost its mobility in the conduct of operations against various threat groups.
Of the 717 KM450 trucks ordered by the Armed Forces of the Philippines, 327 have already been delivered, said Army spokesman Col. Benjamin Hao on Wednesday.
The trucks were acquired from South Korean firm KIA Motors for P1.93 billion, Hao said.
Of the 327 trucks, 219 will go to the Army while the rest will be given to the Air Force and Navy, Hao said.
“Right now, they are undergoing final technical inspection,” Hao said, adding the vehicles will be subjected to a 1,000-kilometer road test as part of the inspection.
The rest of the trucks are expected to be delivered before the end of January, Hao said.
Aside from operations against threat groups, the trucks will also be used in disaster response.
“It will help our troops move from one point to another faster,” Hao said. “They will help us not only for operational purposes but also in HADR (humanitarian assistance and disaster relief).” (MNS)