Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana is in Russia to meet with agencies involved in military procurement as part of his official visit.
“Lorenzana and his delegation are now in Russia for meetings with the Russian Ministry of Defense, agencies involved in military procurement, visits to military equipment facilities and to attend the International Military Forum,” said Philippine ambassador to Russia Carlos Sorreta in a Facebook post.
The International Military-Technical Forum, an exhibition of military equipment, weapons and technology is organized by the Russian Defense Ministry.
Sorreta said the defense and military cooperation of the two countries are “firmly on track.”
The visit comes despite U.S. warnings to the Philippines against purchasing Russian military hardware, saying it will hurt their decades-long alliance and interoperability on the ground.
Russia is considered as one of the potential suppliers of the country’s first ever acquisition of submarines. Germany and South Korea are also some of the considered suppliers.
In an interview with Russian news agency TASS, Sorreta said the Philippines is also eyeing to purchase Russian naval vessels.
Lorenzana left the country last Thursday (Aug. 16) and is expected to be back in the country by Friday. /muf