Capas, Tarlac — The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) formally turned over the Controller Operated Battle Ready Armament (COBRA) to the Department of National Defense (DND) and the Philippine Army (PA) in a ceremony held at Camp O’Donnell, Capas, Tarlac—opening new opportunities for local industries to participate in the production, maintenance, and future export of defense technologies.
The COBRA prototype, installed on APC Gen. Luis Malinis, is able to identify and lock its stationary or moving target even from a distance of more than 500 meters.
Developed under a two-year partnership funded jointly by DOST and DND, with P24 million counterpart funding from DOST and P5 million from the PA, the COBRA represents a landmark in Philippine defense innovation, proving that the country can design and engineer technologies suited for mission-critical operations.
DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum, Jr. reaffirmed this direction, noting that “a secure and sovereign Philippines requires a strong foundation in science, technology, and innovation.” He stressed that COBRA reflects this national vision as it enters the hands of the PA.
DOST Secretary Solidum, Jr., delivering his message during the COBRA turnover ceremony.
COBRA: A Catalyst for Industrial Growth and Job Creation
The COBRA is expected to generate high-value contracts for local industries in fabrication, machining, electronics, optics, software integration, and maintenance. Because most components are locally sourced, domestic firms are positioned to take a leading role in its future mass production.
DOST–MIRDC Prototyping Division Chief and Project Leader Engr. Rodnel Tamayo emphasized that COBRA was intentionally designed to leverage local manufacturing capabilities. According to him, “most are locally available—soldiers can also maintain it. Mas mabilis ang pagrepair kasi sinigurado naman natin na locally available ang materials.”
Army: Local Manufacturing Strengthens Defense and the Economy
Philippine Army Commanding General Lieutenant General Antonio G. Nafarrete underscored how COBRA directly supports the Army’s land-centric defense strategy under the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept (CADC).
“We are really strengthening our capabilities on how to defend our land,” he said.
He also highlighted its economic impact: “Malaking tulong ito sa ating ekonomiya—the labor, mabibigyan natin ng trabaho ang ating skilled workers dito. That’s one advantage when it’s a locally manufactured system.”
DND Undersecretary for Defense Technology Research and Industry Development Rene Diaz affirmed the significance of this milestone: “This achievement shows that we have the skill, capacity, and drive to advance our Self-Reliant Defense Posture (SRDP) journey. Science is a key driver of defense capability.”
DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum, Jr. (5th from left), DND Undersecretary Rene Diaz (4th from left), Philippine Army Commanding General, LtGen Antonio Nafarrete (6th from left), and COBRA Project Leader, Engr. Rodnel O. Tamayo (4th from right) are joined by DOST-MIRDC Executive Director, Engr. Robert O. Dizon (2nd from left), other DND officials, and members of the Mechatronics and Robotics Society of the Philippines during the turnover ceremony of the COBRA on December 11, 2025.
A Turning Point for the Philippine Defense and Manufacturing Sectors
With the Army eyeing the COBRA’s reproduction, local industries are poised to take part in full-scale production once licensing and certification requirements are completed. The COBRA’s successful turnover demonstrates that the Philippine manufacturing sector is ready for more advanced defense projects—and capable of meeting global standards.
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