US gives Philippines new small arms, mini guns to fight terrorists (PHOTOS)
Philippine Marines and U.S. advisors look over a new M134D Mini Gun during a handover ceremony Monday. (Photo: Yahoo Philippines)
In order to better tackle terror groups in the archipelago nation, the U.S. military has turned over everything from Glocks to miniguns in the past few weeks.
Announced Monday by the U.S. Embassy in Manila, representatives from the Joint U.S. Military Assistance Group made the handover of the new equipment to the commandant of the Philippine Marine Corps official in a transfer ceremony at the Marines’ headquarters on Monday.
The hardware turned over includes 300 M4 carbines, 200 Glock 21 pistols, 4 M134D Gatling-style mini-guns, and 100 M203 40mm grenade launchers, which were delivered last month to Clark Air Base. U.S. forces last week also presented 25 new Combat Rubber Raiding Craft, small boats with outboard motors, to the local Marines last week.
Philippine Marine Maj. Gen. Emmanuel Salamat receives a new M4 rifle with an attached M203 grenade launcher from U.S. Army Col. Ernest Lee during the turnover of weapons and other equipment on June 5. (Photo: Bullit Marquez/AP)
U.S. and Philippine forces are just coming off of Balikatan 2017, an annual excercise that comprises missions ranging from disaster relief to counterterrorism. The two allies, linked by a joint defense pact since 1951, have conducted the exercise for the past 33 years.
A Philippine Marine and U.S. military official inspect a new M4 carbine during a weapons and equipment delivery. (Photo: U.S. Embassy)
The Philippine Marine Commandant, Maj. Gen. Emmanuel Salamat, said at the ceremony the weapons would be used in the ongoing battle against Islamist militants in the southern city of Marawi.
The U.S. has transferred about $150 million in military aid to the Philippines since 2007.
Read More On:
Latest Reviews
-
Olympic Arms OA-98: Weird AR Pistol Born Under 1994 Ban
I couldn’t pass up a chance to shoot this Olympic Arms OA-98. This distinctive AR-15-style pistol was conceived at a unique point in American firearm legislation history.
Read More -
10mm Go-To Pistol: Review of the FN 510 Tactical
What's not to like about a 22+1 shot suppressor optics-ready 10mm made by one of the biggest names in the firearms industry?
Read More -
Going Big with .50 BMG: Barrett M82A1 Rifle Review
Few firearms on the market are as iconic as our subject today. Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock, you’ve likely seen the .50-caliber Barrett M82A1 on the news, at the range, or even in countless video games.
Read More -
The Practical Hunter’s Custom: Magnum Research Mountain Eagle Rifle
This sleek rifle, with its spiral fluted bolt, stainless action, and linear graphite barrel, is an eye-catcher without question. But will it shoot?Â
Read More
