Manila, Dec. 11 -- The Philippine Army (PA) on Thursday received an automated weapon system capable of mounting .50 caliber machine guns from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

With the turnover of the locally designed Controller-Operated Battle Ready Armament (COBRA), Filipino troops "will no longer be exposed to heavy fire when operating heavy weapons," PA commander Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete said.

He added that COBRA is not only a product for national defense but also a symbol of the Philippines' collective pursuit of a self-reliant posture through science, technology and innovation.

The COBRA is an output of the Research & Development implemented by the DOST-Metals Industry Research and Development Center (MIRDC), wit...