Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Sabrah light tanks of the Philippine Army participate in a combined arms exercise in Capas, Tarlac on March 7, 2025. Bianca Dava, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Bianca Dava

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17713070884321741346619853Sabrah-light-tanks_cropped_processed_by_imagy.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Sabrah light tanks of the Philippine Army participate in a combined arms exercise in Capas, Tarlac on March 7, 2025. Bianca Dava, ABS-CBN News/File</span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The Philippine Army is expecting the completion of deliveries for its Sabrah light tanks within the year, a move seen to further strengthen its armored capabilities.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/3/7/israeli-sabrah-tanks-used-for-first-time-in-ph-army-s-live-fire-exercise-1930">Israeli Sabrah tanks used for first time in PH Army’s live fire exercise</a></div><p>Army commanding general Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete said the service currently has nine Sabrah light tanks in operation, with 18 more units still pending delivery.</p><p>“We are still waiting because this is a big item acquisition. Ongoing pa rin ang negotiations. We hope within this year, matapos ang delivery,” Nafarrete told reporters at the Army Headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.</p><p>“[These will be integrated] with the Armored Division,” he added.</p><p>Deliveries of the units were reportedly made between 2022 and 2025.</p><p>Once completed, the acquisition will mark a significant milestone in the Army’s push to modernize its mechanized forces.</p><p>Developed by Israeli defense firm Elbit Systems, the Sabrah light tank is the first armored vehicle in the Army equipped with a 105mm cannon.</p><p>The project acquisition falls under Horizon 2 of the Revised Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Modernization Program and is valued at around P9.4 billion.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><div><br/><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jlier01EHDM?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>Developed by Israeli defense firm Elbit Systems, the Sabrah light tank is the first armored vehicle in the Army equipped with a 105mm cannon.</p>

Developed by Israeli defense firm Elbit Systems, the Sabrah light tank is the first armored vehicle in the Army equipped with a 105mm cannon.

PH Army expects delivery of remaining 18 Sabrah light tanks this year

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PH Army expects delivery of remaining 18 Sabrah light tanks this year

Bianca Dava,

ABS-CBN News

Published February 17, 2026 01:46 PM PHT

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Philippine Army

Sabrah light tank

Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete

modernization

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