ORD PABAC2-006-24 Combat Reflex Sight (Red Dot) Acquisition Project (2023) of the Philippine Army

A requirement for new Red Dot Combat Reflex Sights for assault rifles was raised by the Philippine Army to meet its current, and potentially near-future requirements to equip new assault rifles being acquired simultaneously.

This resource page discusses the Combat Reflex Sight (Red Dot) Acquisition Project of the Philippine Army, specifically the project raised in 2023 but funded by allocations for 2024.

An Aimpoint CompM4 red dot sight on an AR15 rifle. Photo credits to The Shooter's Log.

Project Summary:

ORD PABAC2-006-24 Combat Reflex Sight (Red Dot) Acquisition Project (2023) of the Philippine Army:

Note: Edited as of 08 October 2024.

* End User: Philippine Army (multiple units)

* Quantity: 5,050 units

* Modernization Phase: GAA 2024 Funding for the Philippine Army

* Project ABC: Php249,975.000.00

* Acquisition Mode: Public Bidding

* Source of Funding: GAA 2024 Funds for the Philippine Army

* SARO Release: TBC

* Winning Proponent: Joint Venture of AholdtechPH Corporation (Philippines) and Smart Shooter Ltd (Israel)

* Product for Delivery: Smart Shooter SMASH 3000

* Contract Price: Php180,069,999.79

* Residual Difference (Savings): Php69,905,000.21

* First post by MaxDefense: 15 October 2023 (this post)

* MaxDefense Searching Hashtag: #PACombatReflexSight2023Acquisition

* Status: Requirement for 5,050 new Red Dot Combat Reflex Sights for assault rifles, to be delivered in 1 batch within 180 days from release of Notice to Proceed. Bidding was raised on 10 October 2023 with SOBE tentatively scheduled on 24 October 2023, which pushed through. Awarded to AholdtechPH Corporation, and is expected to supply the Smart Shooter SMASH 3000 fire control system. Contract signed 05 June 2024, Notice to Proceed released on 23 July 2024.

An Aimpoint CompM5b red dot sight. Photo credits to Aimpoint.

Overview:

The Philippine Army has raised a requirement for 5,050 new Red Dot Combat Reflex Sights that will be mounted on assault rifles. Based on the quantity involved, we believe that these rifle red dot sights would be installed on the rifles being acquired in the same timeframe. We also expect that both items. together with the acquisition of almost the same number of 9mm pistols, are meant for the same combat unit, possibly the planned two new Brigade Combat Teams that are to be brought up in 2024-2025.

According to the tender documents, the delivery will be done in a single batch within 180 days from release of Notice to Proceed (NTP). If the first bidding attempt succeeds, we estimate that the combat reflex sights will all be delivered by 3rd quarter of 2024.

The technical requirements have been released with the following details:

Screengrabbed from Bid Documents.

Among the important details in the technical specifications are the housing material (aluminium alloy), housing construction (fully sealed and watertight), magnification (1x) and red dot size (2 MOA). Usually military-spec red dot sights have these features as they are expected to be used in heavy-duty and rough conditions compared to civilian-spec models.

Also, the budget allocated (Php49,500 per piece) is as expensive as an assault rifle itself, so we expect the products to be offered are military-type models from well known suppliers.

If SIG Sauer enters the assault rifle tender, it is expected that they might also enter in the combat reflex sight tender. Photo credits to Ricardo Torres @ Pinterest.

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U P D A T E S:
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16 December 2023:

The PhilGEPS procurement website has posted that the tender has been closed and post-submission process is ongoing.

This is good news considering the other project where these red-dot sights would be installed, the 5.56mm Carbine Acquisition Project, appears to be pushing ahead and did not fail during the tender submission.

We'll see in a few months if this project will proceed to awarding or failure.

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06 July 2024:

The Philippine Army has released the Notice of Award for the project in favor of the Joint Venture of AholdtechPH Corporation and Smart Shooter Ltd, which is offering the Smart Shooter SMASH 3000 fire control system.

Based on the BAC Resolution No. PABAC2-015-LCRB-2024 dated 29 May 2024, they found the JV as the Lowest Calculated Bidder, and has completed and passed the Post Qualification Inspection held on 08 May 2024.

Photo credits to Smart Shooter Ltd's website.

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23 July 2024:

The Contract for the project was released in favor of the Joint Venture of AholdtechPH Corporation and Smart Shooter Ltd on 05 June 2024, with the Notice to Proceed released on 23 July 2024.

The NTP as released by the Philippine Army. Photo credits to PhilGEPS.

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08 October 2024:

While delivery is still being processed, the Philippine Army already had some familiarity with the SMASH 3000 fire control system from Smart Shooter.

Photo below shows a test sample mounted on a Remington R4A3 5.56mm rifle of the Philippine Army, although we do not have enough information as to its performance.

The delivery is expected to be completed by mid 2025, although delivery can be made earlier depending on AholdtechPH Corp. and Smart Shooter Ltd's production and delivery capabilities.