Philippine Army troops will receive new trucks and force protection equipment between 2011 and 2012 as part of its capability upgrade programme.

Philippine Army vice-commander Major General Romulo Supapo said 137 units of 1.5t trucks and 250 new 2.5t 6×6 trucks, which will replace the old US M-35 trucks, were purchased from South Korea.

The Weapon Systems Board has also purchased engineering equipment in line with its civil-military operations thrust and has spent P100m on body armour.

“Not just weapons, but we will have construction equipment like bulldozers and graders,” Supapo said.

Philippine President Benigno Aquino III has offered support funding of P5bn ($114m) a year to continue the capability upgrade programme.