AFP to phase out foreign-made weapons for Cebu arms

[kuratong]

HEADLINE NEWS  
 

By Jaime Laude
The Philippine Star 10/18/2004  
 
The Department of National Defense (DND) will soon phase out most of the foreign-made assault weapons in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) inventory in favor of a 100-percent Filipino-designed Special Action Weapon (SAW9), which is just as lethal and automatic.

Made in Cebu, the SAW9 prototype with assault and combat capabilities was test-fired last Wednesday by top defense officials led by Secretary Avelino Cruz at the government’s munitions complex in Limay, Bataan.

Cruz lauded the SAW9 prototype, saying its eventual use by the AFP and the Philippine National Police (PNP) will enhance their respective combat capabilities, aside from generating considerable government savings.

"SAW9 is a 100-percent Philippine-designed assault weapon that will likely be put to use in the AFP and the PNP at a lesser cost than foreign-made models such as Uzis and Baby Armalites," Cruz said.

He said the SAW9 is a product of joint research and developmental undertaking between the DND-run Government Arsenal and the Safariland Firearms Manufacturing Corp., a Cebu City-based gunsmith.

An SAW9 costs about P30,000 less than the Israeli and US-made assault weapons Uzi and Baby Armalite.

"SAW9’s capability in assault and close quarter operations can match the well-known Uzi, the MP5 or HK and the US-made Baby Armalite," Government Arsenal director Eriberto Varona said.

Unlike the foreign-made assault weapons that usually feed on caliber 9 mm. bullets, SAW9 is more powerful as it uses caliber .45 bullets. This makes the Cebuano-made assault weapon more marketable outside the country, Varona said.

Designed with features comparable to world-class assault weapons, SAW9 adopts the close-bolt concept of the MP5 for high-level capacity, Uzi-like barrel arrangement for versatility, and upper and lower receivers of the M-16 rifles for ease in mass production using materials that are available in the market.

Cruz said SAW9 was a product of the DND’s Self-Reliance Defense Program (SRDP), a joint undertaking with the Metal Industry Research and Development Center.

"This is a fine example in the SRDP project that will serve as an inspiration to all of us to work harder for the benefit and welfare of our country," Cruz said.

[Pauper]

phase-out  most foreign made assault weapons in AFP...does the Star allude to the class (SMG) which the SAW9 belongs? i think this does not mean replacing the M16, M14, Galil and the Aug Styr.

[RDC]

I just hope the real reason the AFP is doing this is because Cebu Arms are of better quality and at a cheaper price than foreign armaments.

Not because someone's kamaganaks are clamouring for Christmas gifts.

[Anonymous]

Ok yan, at iyong ibang mga ipi-phaseout na mga lumang armas e ibigay nyo nalang sa mga taga Pura Tarlac, para mapalitan naman iyong mga Pikbong na gamit pa ng mga hapon noon, mga dalawang libo lang naman ok na

[The Reaper]

I don't think its going to replace the M-16 and other assault rifles in our inventory since it is a submachine gun. But it'll probably replace Uzis, M3s, and other SMGs in the current inventory. They might (or should) develop a full blown assault rifle with their experience from this weapon though (That is if this SMG is adopted and if it is successful).

[maximusdesmus]

huli na pala ako sa balita.

question, whats happening with the danao family-run local gun manufacturing business>?

is our government have ever paid any attention with them, or did they conduct any quality isnpection on their products?  any consideration by our government to legalize the danao firearms?

anyway, still this is an absolutely awesome news. atleast we showing some patriotism here now.  good job RP!   

[ian]

Instead of designing a new assault rifle, why not just stick with the venerable M16 and revive our manufacturing plants here ala Elisco? Sticking with the M16 would be better since we would have parts and ammunition commonality with our foreign allies. In an eventuality that something happens to our local manufacturing plants (like terrorist attacks, etc.), our units wouldn't be paralyzed.

[salbahis]

huli na pala ako sa balita.

question, whats happening with the danao family-run local gun manufacturing business>?

is our government have ever paid any attention with them, or did they conduct any quality isnpection on their products?  any consideration by our government to legalize the danao firearms?

anyway, still this is an absolutely awesome news. atleast we showing some patriotism here now.  good job RP!   

the durano had already acquired some of the former prominent firearms maker at danao!

[count montedegallo]

can anybody post a photo of the saw9 here? thanks!

[salbahis]

can anybody post a photo of the saw9 here? thanks!

Found this pic from another thread...

Safariland Corporation MP9-SAW "Special Action Weapon"

It's more like a result of M4 having sex with an uzi..

[Adroth]

can anybody post a photo of the saw9 here? thanks!

Threads showing photos of the SAW and other indigenous small arms programs are listed in the following thread index: http://timawa.net/forum/index.php?topic=3886.0

[darthnbs]

This is the best development ever for the defense industries of the Philippines! Can we also include some of the arms reinvented and developed by PMC? Self-reliance will save lots of funds for the GRP and AFP plus in can ensure that weapons developed have been based on experience in the field! Keep up the good work!

[mordoc]

It’s a good new that the government is now supporting locally manufactured fire arms in our country to provide more reliable and enough fir power for the AFP and the Police but I wish sana walang corruption sa deal nato kase sa huli tayo rin ang lugi.
 

[arvcab]

you people should be happy the goverment is supporting our local gun makers...

[BoyScouter]

this is a good sign. This will saves our precious dollar and also generates our local economy even just a small fraction. I wish that the navy also consider our local ship builder in cebu to build patrol boat. We are already exporting heavy tonnage and a fastcraft loaded with digital controls ships but until now we still looks for foriegn built ships for our navy

here's a new development of sw9 http://www.arsenal.mil.ph/ann02jk.htm