Elbit has been contracted to supply 6×6 GUARANI wheeled tanks to the Philippines within three years. This selection was made in December 2020, with a contract value of €39.3M. The vehicle ordered by the Philippines consists of:

  • Iveco’s 6×6 amphibious platform
  • a turret
  • fire control systems
  • TORCH-X battle management systems
  • E-LynX software-defined radios
  • gunner and commander sights from Elbit

This makes them interoperable with the SABRAH tanks, which are being delivered in the same period. The UT turret can be equipped with a Remote-Controlled Weapon Station for machine guns ranging from 7.62 mm to 25 mm calibre or a 40 mm grenade launcher.

Weighing less than 20 tonnes, the vehicle is an Armoured Personnel Carrier and can accommodate a two-man regular crew and nine soldiers for dismounted combat. The GUARANI is powered by an Iveco Cursor 9 diesel engine with 280 kW and thus achieves a top speed of more than 100 km/h. The swimming speed is up to nine km/h. Strategic transport is possible in aircraft such as the C-130 HERCULES or the Embraer KC-390.

Gerhard Heiming