Wondering if we'll be outgunned by any foreign intrusion if the conflict in the Spratley's islands territorial dispute escalates? No worries. As recently as June 2014, the Philippine Armed Forces' made a deal with Israel's Elbit Systems to deliver 28 upgraded and modern M113A2-B Armored Personnel Carriers for an estimated $20 Million Contract. This comes in addition to the 114 M113A2 troop carriers from the U.S. also to be delivered this year. The Israeli package packs more punch with advanced weps plus outfitting other M113A2s with the turrets from the Philippine Army's retired Scorpion Tanks.
From the Elbit Systems' website: This is a sample of what Elbit
remote-controlled, weapon system turrets look like, although
the featured one for the Philippine Army's M113A2 will have
a lower standing profile than this.
In their press statement on their website, Udi Vered, General Manager of Elbit Systems' Land said:
"We are very pleased to be awarded our first contract for
the Philippines Armed Forces, which we hope will be followed by others.
Our extensive portfolio and our vast experience enable us to offer our
customers advanced solutions, answering the specific requirements of
various combat vehicles, and this award further positions us as world
leaders in the field of ground vehicle upgrades".
How Good Is the M113A2 APC?
The U.S. has already committed 114 M113A2 armored personnel carriers. These APCs can be augmented with add-on steel plates for improved ballistic protection. Also, the M113A2 can be outfitted with both reactive armor and slatted armor for improved protection against RPGs. Its tracks can be rigged with band tracks
made of rubber to enable less noise and less damage to paved roads and better maneuverability on uneven terrain. As is, the troop carrier has light armor but this is still good enough to withstand normal bullet hits.
The M113A2 APC
The M113A2 used to be the workhorse APC of the U.S. Army. The U.S. eventually upgraded their armored troop carrier fleet with the M2 Bradley Armored Infantry Fighting Vehicle starting in the late 1980s and changed the way their ground infantry fought--riding a weaponized vehicle into the front and fighting inside it as opposed to dismounting troops from an APC to engage the enemy. 
This is the stock version of a M113A2 armored personnel carrier.
Elbit Systems will be refurbishing Belgian vehicles with new remote
controlled gunner turrets as well as new hydraulics and engine systems.The M113A1-B Belgian APCs to be sold to the Philippines were used by the Belgian
defense forces for military parades and urban patrol but were never used in actual field combat anywhere. These were built by BAE systems and are to be upgraded by Elbit Systems of Israel. The Pinoy APCs are newer than the US-sourced 114 M113A2 vehicles, and the Belgian M113A1-B have better mileage use with only 1000 miles logged on them. The Israeli upgraded IFVs will arrive by May of 2015.
Who Are Elbit Systems ?
Elbit Systems Ltd.
is an international defense contractor based in Israel that provides some of the most advanced military ordnance in the world. Aside from weapon delivery systems, Elbit also provides advanced military communications, surveillance and reconnaissance systems which include aircraft systems, satellites and data linking technology as well as advanced radio tech.
The area that Elbit excels at is upgrading existing military vehicles of international clients and keeping a range of support services, including training and simulation
systems that allow for refurbishing and upgrades to be a more cost effective solution for military upgrades.
