Game-changer ATMOS self-propelled howitzers arrive in Mindanao

The 10th Field Artillery “Rolling Thunder” Battalion’s eight Autonomous Truck Mounted Howitzer System (ATMOS 2000) 155mm self-propelled guns arrived at the Makar Port in General Santos City on September 29, 2022.

The eights ATMOS 155mm self-propelled guns will be be under the operational control of the Joint Task Force Central to support counter-terrorist operations, 6th Infantry “Kampilan” Division Commander Maj. Gen. Galido said.

The new guns were transported by a Philippine Navy vessel that sailed from the Naval Base Heracleo Alano, Sangley Point, Cavite City on September 24, 2022, three days following the send-off ceremony led by the Department of National Defense (DND) Officer-in-Charge Senior Undersecretary Jose C. Faustino, Jr., in Fort Bonifacio, Metro Manila. It can be recalled that Usec. Faustino hailed the ATMOS as a ‘game-changer’ asset that will bolster the military’s territorial defense capabilities as well as internal security operations.

Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Galido said the ATMOS is the biggest gun in the Army arsenal today. “With automatic loading and a digital fire control, it can deliver accurate fires to a range of up to 41 kilometers,” he remarked. “An advantage of ATMOS is that it offers high accuracy and “shoot and scoot” operation yet can operate on the existing road network and bridges found in the country. They are able to deploy even in rugged terrain while being able to respond to mission demands more quickly than towed howitzers” Maj. Gen. Galido added. (VICTOR BALDEMOR)