The Philippine Navy has awarded a contract to Turkish manufacturer Sarsılmaz Silah Sanayi A.Ş. for up to 16 SAR 127 heavy machine guns, which will be installed on two new Landing Platform Docks (LPDs) currently under construction. Valued at approximately $640,917, this acquisition is part of the Philippines’ broader modernization initiative aimed at strengthening its naval capabilities, particularly in response to an increasingly assertive Chinese Navy.
These LPDs, set for delivery between 2026 and 2027, are integral to enhancing the Philippines’ amphibious assault and logistics operations. The SAR 127, a licensed variant of the American Browning M2, boasts a firing rate of up to 600 rounds per minute and a maximum effective range of nearly 1,830 meters. As the Philippine Navy ranks thirtieth out of forty in global naval power, this development marks a significant step towards improving its defense posture and operational readiness.
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