Military technical cooperation with Russia seen

MANILA, Philippines – Military technical cooperation with Russia may soon be established to help the Philippines achieve its military modernization goals.

Defense Undersecretary for finance and materiel Raymundo de Vera Elefante met recently with Vladimir Drojob, deputy director of the Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation of the Russian Federation on the sidelines of the International Military-Technical Forum “Army-2016” held at the Kubinka Airfield in Moscow.

Elefante said the Philippines is open to dialogue with the FSMTC to see what Russia can offer in terms of military technology. 

The Philippines is currently implementing a modernization program for its armed forces and Russian companies are welcome to participate.

Drojob stated that at present there is practically no military-technical cooperation between the two countries. 

He expressed hope that the meeting will generate momentum to change the current situation, stressing that military-technical cooperation is an important factor in bilateral relations. 

Sergey Bugakov, chief of the First Department on Military and Technical Cooperation with Foreign States (Asia Pacific region), said that Russia has experience in military-technical cooperation with many countries and it is ready to help the Philippines.

Last week, President Duterte said he was considering acquiring new weapons from Russia and China so that the Philippines can improve its capabilities in tackling insurgency and terrorism.

The Philippines has traditionally leaned on the US, its longtime treaty ally and other Western states for its security needs.

Duterte said he would not allow government forces to conduct joint patrols of disputed waters near the South China Sea with the US and other foreign powers as the Philippines could get entangled in hostilities.

Elefante expressed appreciation for the invitation to attend Army-2016 last Sept. 6 – 11, noting that this was the first time the Department of National Defense sent a delegation.