Rocket Launcher Acquisition Project

[adroth]

The first hint that the Philippine Army was seriously looking into acquiring RPGs was reported in the 2008 AFP Modernization report, by way of the following table in the document.

Copies of the September 2010 edition of the Capability Upgrade Program (CUP) status report that circulated in the latter half of this year made mention of the acquisition and described it as being in an advanced stage of the process. During the 114th Anniversary of the Philippine Army, LGEN Arturo Ortiz revealed that an acquisition of 335 units of rocket launchers were indeed being acquired. Subsequent inquiries with Timawans in the service then confirmed that this announcement did in fact refer to the RPGs revealed in the 2008 report.

Airtronic USA, Inc. was selected to supply 400 US-made RPG7 rocket launchers, and associated 40mm rockets, as part of a Foreign Military Sale (FMS) deal. While components of this deal have reportedly been delivered, reportedly difficulties with the source company has impeded progress of this acquisition.

[adroth]

Background on the delays. Note how the events happened after the PA's selection of the weapon.

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Creditors approve Airtronic USA's bankruptcy reorganization plan
Sept. 26, 2013 at 4:15 PM
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http://www.upi.com/Creditors-approve-Airtronic-USAs-bankruptcy-reorganization-plan/67541380226549/

PALM BEACH, Fla., Sept. 26 (UPI) -- The majority of Airtronic USA's creditors have approved an amended Chapter 11 bankruptcy plan, paving the way for its acquisition by Global Digital Solutions.

The small arms manufacturer filed its reorganization plan in August with the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, which will hold a confirmation hearing next week.

Global Digital Solutions Inc., which announced the creditor vote, said the plan will allow Airtronic USA to emerge from Chapter 11 with "adequate working capital to compete effectively as an innovative leader in small arms manufacturing."


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AirTronic USA Announces New Company Operations and Imminent Release of Innovative Defense Systems
22 Sep, 2015, 06:00 ET from AirTronic USA

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/airtronic-usa-announces-new-company-operations-and-imminent-release-of-innovative-defense-systems-300146367.html

SAN ANTONIO, Sept. 22, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- AirTronic USA announces that it has finalized the relocation of their new headquarters facility now located in Spring Branch, Texas. Spring Branch's centralized location facilitates more efficient and effective interaction with strategic partners and customers in the region and on either U.S. coast.

Following the establishment of the new headquarters, the Company has resumed full production status and reinvigorated their corporate R&D department resulting in the imminent release of new systems for use in the defense industry. AirTronic's Precision Shoulder-fired Rocket Launcher systems offer a safe, reliable and effective solution, enhanced by a custom-design sighting system resulting in significantly improved accuracy. Two new rocket launcher designs are under development for U.S. manufacture by Q2, 2016.

[Sabra]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kDAdVmvbSRM

[adroth]

From: https://ph.usembassy.gov/us-transfers-weapons-munitions-afp-support-counterterrorism-operations/

The munitions and weapons deliveries will enhance the AFP’s counterterrorism capabilities, and directly support AFP members actively engaged in counterterrorism operations in the southern Philippines, including Marawi.  Upcoming weapons deliveries include 250 rocket-propelled grenade launchers and 1,000 M203 grenade launchers delivered to the Philippine Army through the security assistance program.

[adroth]

Administrator's note:

This thread has a companion FB extension here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/rpdefense/permalink/1400769280008915/

This thread is related to this older discussion: Rocket Launcher Acquisition Project

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Bulgaria wins bid to provide RPG-7 rockets to AFP. Government Arsenal initiates discussions for local production.

Additional details are forthcoming.

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http://www.arsenal-bg.com/c/rounds-for-anti-tank-systems-34

[adroth]

Also c/o GA

Six (6) RPGs were donated by Bulgaria for use in Marawi. Over 800 rockets have already been fired by our troops in the conflict.

[LionFlyer]

Six (6) RPGs were donated by Bulgaria for use in Marawi. Over 800 rockets have already been fired by our troops in the conflict.

6 RPGs and hundreds of rounds donated? It doesn't computed. One, if they were donated in the middle of an active bid, won't any of the other competitors cry foul? Hundred of rounds fired hint to me strongly that there were existing RPGs already in-service.

[Juramentado]

There were more than those six. Someone sent me a photo dated late 2016 showing the same Bulgarian RPGs with HEAP in RP possession. Maybe six to augment what was already in the field.

[adroth]

There were more than those six. Someone sent me a photo dated late 2016 showing the same Bulgarian RPGs with HEAP in RP possession. Maybe six to augment what was already in the field.

There was one Airtronics launcher that was donated for evaluation purposes that came with 4,000 rockets supplied by JUSMAG. This package arrived three years ago, and stored at NOLCOM. But no additional launchers came because of internal issues with Airtronics. Bankruptcy is a bummer.

The six Bulgarian launchers were donated 2 months ago by Bulgaria via a local representative arms dealer.

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Need to amend the "800 rockets used report". There were reportedly already 2,800 rockets expended.

6 RPGs and hundreds of rounds donated? It doesn't computed. One, if they were donated in the middle of an active bid, won't any of the other competitors cry foul? Hundred of rounds fired hint to me strongly that there were existing RPGs already in-service.

One Airtronics launcher with 4,000 rounds were already available when Marawi came up.

[adroth]

24 Oras. Published on Jul 13, 2017

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kDAdVmvbSRM

[mamiyapis]

Had been told a handful of RPGs were used as far back as the Zamboanga Siege. They were used to open up walls that either couldn't be done so manually

[girder]

Need to amend the "800 rockets used report". There were reportedly already 2,800 rockets expended.

That's a lot of munitions spent in a short time. On the one hand, that means its already proven itself quite handy, on the other hand the AFP is going to need a follow-up order soon.

Given negotiations for cooperation with the Russian government there's potential for both sourcing more launchers and munitions from them, as well as the technical assistance for local production. Assuming it might be easier to things straight from them instead of going through JUSMAG like the last time. Possibly from the Chinese as well, given their recent arms donation. (Which reminds me, I've been meaning to start a thread about potential candidates for the AFP's DMR and sniper rifle requirements...)

[girder]

Saw this story recently, apparently Airtronic has managed to get its act together and is back to exporting their PSRL launchers, to Ukraine of all places.

National Guard of Ukraine Purchases American-Made RPG-7 Launchers

Arsen Avakov, the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, has announced on his Facebook page that the first shipment of 500 American-made RPG-7 clone rocket-propelled grenade launchers has been received by the National Guard of Ukraine. These launchers are called PSRL which stands for Precision Shoulder-fired Rocket Launcher. They are manufactured by a US company called AirTronic USA.

[adroth]

Latest RPG sighting

https://www.facebook.com/groups/rpdefense/permalink/2054338257985344/

[adroth]

Photos from the Araw ng Davao celebration

https://www.facebook.com/eastmincom/photos/a.2221283937931831/2221292877930937/?type=3