PH, Russia sign military-technical cooperation agreement

Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu shakes hands with Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana at the signing of military-technical cooperation agreement on Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2017. (Photo courtesy of the Department of National Defense)

CLARK FREEPORT — The Philippines and Russia boosted their defense ties on Tuesday by signing a military-technical cooperation agreement that would allow them to conduct joint research, production support, and the possibility of exchange of experts and training of personnel.

According to a statement issued by the Department of National Defense, the agreement was signed here by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and his Russian counterpart General Sergey Shoygu on the sidelines of a regional security forum with allied countries.

Shoygu is in the country for the Asean Defense Ministers Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus), which was atteneded by defense ministers from non-Asean countries – namely, the United States, Australia, South Korea, China, and Japan.

Lorenzana also signed a contract with Alexander Mikheev, Rosoboronexport director-general, allowing the Philippines to procure defense articles from the state-owned agency.

Rosoboronexport is sole state intermediary agency for Russia’s exports and imports of defense-related and dual use products, technologies and services.

President Rodrigo Duterte has forged closer ties with Russia and China as he shifted away from the traditional ally United States when he assumed office last year.

Russia will also turn over its donation of 5,000 Kalashnikov rifles and ammunition, as well as military trucks, to the Philippine government on Wednesday as part of its assistance to the country’s anti-terror efforts. /atm