PH poised to buy 16 Russian choppers; Duterte all set for Moscow visit
Published Sep 30, 2019 07:46 pm
By Roy Mabasa
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is poised to buy 16 units of Mi-17 medium-lift Russian helicopters worth $14.7 million each (approximately P779 million) or a total of US$235 million (P12.5 billion) as part of its modernization program as Moscow seeks better trade and defense ties with Manila.
President Rodrigo R. Duterte and Russian President Vladimir Putin
(AP / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO) This development is in time with President Duterte’s visit to the Russian capital this week in which he is set to meet with his “hero” and counterpart, President Vladimir Putin. As one of the top priorities of his administration, President Duterte has vowed for the full completion of the modernization program of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for the remaining balance of his term. “I am hoping and praying that before my remaining three years expire, that all of these things, especially the labeled ‘Horizon Projects’ of yours, will be completed during my term,” Duterte said during the 72nd anniversary of the Air Force (PAF) at Villamor Air Base last July. Duterte was obviously not just referring to the modernization of the PAF but even more on the modernization of the entire armed forces of the country, which includes all the services and units of the AFP. The so-called Second Horizon phase of the Revised Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program involves P139 billion worth of projects, including the procurement of utility vehicles, drones, and other command and control fixed-wing aircraft, among others. Russia has already exported over 800 Mi-17s for almost a decade, between 2006 to 2016, according to reports. Sources said the Mi-17 is being marketed by Rosoboron, the marketing arm of the Russian Defense Industry and is being offered to the PAF through a third company. The package reportedly includes not only the 16 units of choppers but also an additional chopper, free-of-charge, for “VVIP” (very, very important person), the source added. However, sources within the AFP are concerned about the speed with which the close to P13-billion project is being rushed. While on an official visit in Russia, Duterte will also speak at the plenary session of the Valdai Forum, the first for a Philippine president on the invitation of the Valdai Discussion Club, a prominent think tank and discussion club in the said country. According to the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Philippine leader will “give his perspective or vision of the world order as it is emerging right now and how this relates to Philippine foreign policy.”
President Rodrigo R. Duterte and Russian President Vladimir Putin(AP / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO) This development is in time with President Duterte’s visit to the Russian capital this week in which he is set to meet with his “hero” and counterpart, President Vladimir Putin. As one of the top priorities of his administration, President Duterte has vowed for the full completion of the modernization program of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for the remaining balance of his term. “I am hoping and praying that before my remaining three years expire, that all of these things, especially the labeled ‘Horizon Projects’ of yours, will be completed during my term,” Duterte said during the 72nd anniversary of the Air Force (PAF) at Villamor Air Base last July. Duterte was obviously not just referring to the modernization of the PAF but even more on the modernization of the entire armed forces of the country, which includes all the services and units of the AFP. The so-called Second Horizon phase of the Revised Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program involves P139 billion worth of projects, including the procurement of utility vehicles, drones, and other command and control fixed-wing aircraft, among others. Russia has already exported over 800 Mi-17s for almost a decade, between 2006 to 2016, according to reports. Sources said the Mi-17 is being marketed by Rosoboron, the marketing arm of the Russian Defense Industry and is being offered to the PAF through a third company. The package reportedly includes not only the 16 units of choppers but also an additional chopper, free-of-charge, for “VVIP” (very, very important person), the source added. However, sources within the AFP are concerned about the speed with which the close to P13-billion project is being rushed. While on an official visit in Russia, Duterte will also speak at the plenary session of the Valdai Forum, the first for a Philippine president on the invitation of the Valdai Discussion Club, a prominent think tank and discussion club in the said country. According to the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Philippine leader will “give his perspective or vision of the world order as it is emerging right now and how this relates to Philippine foreign policy.”