Australia Undertakes Maiden Artillery Training Activity with Philippines

The Royal Australian Artillery (8/12 Regt RAA) recently conducted a first-of-type artillery training activity with the Philippine Army. The activity was part of the Joint Australian Training Team – Philippines (JATT-P) program.

Ten members of 8/12 Regt RAA conducted the first dedicated artillery Mobile Training Team (MTT) with the Philippine Army at Fort Magsaysay.

As per a Defence release, 8/12 Regt RAA gunners provided specialist instruction to three groups of personnel over a three-week period, focusing on gunline and command post training, forward observing, and joint fires and effects.

“We were able to build on core gunnery knowledge and work with the Philippine teams to refine procedures that directly enhance their responsiveness and targeting precision,” Lieutenant Sitcheff of the RAA said. “During the MTT, the Philippine Army demonstrated the deployment of the M101 howitzer as well as the Autonomous Truck Mounted Howitzer System (ATMOS) 155mm self-propelled howitzer.”

The training was provided to members of the Philippine Army Artillery Regiment, including five members of the Philippine Marine Corps and reinforced their foundational gunnery principles, tactical understanding, and also identified opportunities to increase the speed and accuracy of fire missions. Aspects of the Philippine Army’s Force Modernisation Program, including equipment familiarisation and practical ways to optimise existing systems was also provided to the JATT-P team.

Located on the island of Luzon, north of Manila, Fort Magsaysay is the Philippine Army’s largest base, covering an area of 350 square kilometres, incorporating firing ranges across dense mountainous terrain. The ranges provided insight into regional operating environments, which feature the challenges of dense terrain and urban warfare.

The JATT-P will undertake more than 20 training activities and exchanges between the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and Philippine armed forces this year, which is more than double of the events conducted last year.