MANILA, Philippines – Gagamitin ng Department of National Defense (DND) ang locally developed weapons system na inaasahang magpapalakas sa firepower ng Army at magsusulong sa self-reliant defense industry na nais ng administrasyong Marcos.
Ang Controller Operated Battle-Ready Armament (Cobra), ay binuo ng Department of Science and Technology (DOST) at Metals Industry Research and Development Center nito, na itinurn-over sa DND nitong Huwebes, Disyembre 11 sa Army Armor Division headquarters sa Camp O’Donnell, Capas, Tarlac.
Inilarawan ni Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., sa pamamagitan ni Defense Technology Research Undersecretary Rene Diaz sa seremonya, ang sistema bilang mahalagang hakbang sa pagsusulong ng Self-Reliant Defense Posture program, na naglalayong paunlarin ang kapasidad ng bansa sa research at pag-manufacture ng sariling defense equipment.
“The strategy is clear: we start by strengthening the foundations—the research, the production capabilities and institutional support—then build upwards, layer by layer, until we have an industry that can stand strong and succeed on its own,” ani Teodoro.
Ang weapons system na remote-controlled katulad ng ibang modern equipment, ay nagbibigay-daan sa mga sundalo na maabot ang mga target sa protected position at nagbabawas sa exposure ng mga ito sa atake ng mga kalaban.
Binuo ang naturang system ng mahigit dalawang taon gamit ang P29 milyong pondo kabilang ang P24 milyon mula sa DOST at P5 milyon mula sa DND, at naka-disenyo para i-integrate sa isang .50-caliber remote-controlled weapon station sa armored vehicles.
Inilarawan ng Philippine Army ang Cobra na higit pa sa isang weapons system.
Ani Army chief Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete, sumisimbolo ito sa “our collective pursuit of a self-reliant posture through science, technology and innovation,” at bahagi ng modernisasyon ng militar at capability upgrade efforts.
“[Cobra] will enhance the Philippine Army’s firepower while improving troop safety by allowing engagement from protected positions,” ayon kay Teodoro.
“Project Cobra will also enhance the survivability of our soldiers, allowing them to engage from a position of relative safety, thereby reducing their exposure to enemy fire,” dagdag pa niya.
Sumasalamin din ang proyekto sa hakbang ng pamahalaan na palakasin ang domestic science and technology para sa Armed Forces modernization.
“Looking ahead, I am hopeful that we will continue to leverage the best that our country can offer on defense, science and technology, to secure the safety and well-being of the Filipino people.” RNT/JGC
