In 2013, the Philippine Ministry of Defense opened a bidding initiative aimed at acquiring eight new-build AAV7 series vehicles for eventual deployment with the country's Marine Corps.
Although no contractors responded to the MoD's initial bidding request, the subsequent process was reopened in May 2014. South Korean defense giant Samsung Techwin submitted the sole production proposal for the revived effort, offering to produce eight of its licensed KAAV7A1 variants and provide long-term logistical support for the products, at a total estimated cost of $53 million (PHP2.42 billion).
The Philippine MoD and Marines are now in the process of assessing the feasibility of Samsung Techwin's bid, and are expected to make a final decision on the contract sometime in early-to-mid 2015. Assuming the deal moves forward, production of the vehicles is scheduled to take place over the course of approximately 2.5 years subsequent to the date of contract signing.
Although the Philippine military's desire for new-build AAV7 series vehicles stands as an uncommon deviation in a marketplace that has now overwhelmingly shifted toward the acquisition of surplus vehicle stocks, its core requirement for expanded amphibious assault capabilities is nevertheless firmly in step with regional trends.
The South Korean prime Samsung Techwin has completed development and firing trials of a new generation remote weapon station (RWS) for the BAE Systems AAV7A1 (LVTP7A1) amphibious assault vehicle (AAV) used by the Republic of Korea Marine Corps (RoKMC).
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