The Philippines wants to terminate a contract to buy 16 Russian military transport helicopters out of fear of possible US sanctions. The deal with the Russian company Sovtechnoexport was for 12.7 billion pesos (223 million euros), the government of Manila announced today.
The Defense Ministry wants to enter into dialogue with the Russian side to discuss details arising from the termination of the deal.
Decision still under Duterte
The decision to terminate the contract was taken in the last days of President Rodrigo Duterte’s term, recently sacked after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, said former Defense Minister Delfin Lorenzana.
Philippine Ambassador to the US José Manuel Romualdez previously warned that the potential disadvantages for the Philippines would outweigh the benefits the country would gain from purchasing Russian helicopters. The US and the Philippines are allies – also in the military field.