Philippines scraps chopper deal with Russia over fear of US sanctions

Philippines scraps chopper deal with Russia over fear of US sanctions

Former President Rodrigo Duterte decided to cancel deal with Moscow before stepping out of office

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) – The Philippines has scrapped a deal to purchase military transport helicopters from Russia over fears of US sanctions, the country’s ambassador in Washington disclosed to a media outlet.

Jose Manuel Romualdez revealed that the $227 million deal under which Manila was to procure 16 Russian Mi-17 military transport helicopters has been scrapped.

The agreement was inked last year in November, and Manila made a 15% down payment in March this year.

The Russians were also supposed to refurbish a VIP chopper.

Romualdez told Filipino News5 TV on Wednesday that Washington will instead supply similar transport helicopters to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

“We still do not know the type and model,” he added.

The decision to cancel the agreement with Moscow was made before President Rodrigo Duterte stepped down in June to make way for his successor, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who won the general elections by an unprecedented margin last month and has stated to pursue an independent foreign policy.

t was the second time under Duterte that Manila terminated a defense deal with Russia due to concerns over US sanctions.

Manila attempted to purchase rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) from Moscow in 2017, but the agreement was canceled due to US sanctions imposed on Moscow for its annexation of Crimea and role in Syria's civil war.

The Filipino ambassador stated that if the Russian transaction went through, the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) might have an impact on Manila's relations with Washington.

It could result in "reduced military and economic aid" from the US to the Philippines, he asserted.

He, however, added that the AFP “could not afford the top-of-the-line Chinook helicopters which the US Armed Forces has been using.”

Manila has encountered difficulties in remitting the down payment due to sanctions imposed on Moscow in response to Russia's war on Ukraine.

Under the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty, Washington provided more than $600 million in military aid to Manila during Duterte's time.

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