AFP eyes more military assets from Russia

MANILA, Philippines — Apart from a submarine for the Philippine Navy, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is also looking at the possibility of acquiring other military assets for the Philippine Army and Philippine Air Force (PAF) from Russia.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said his visit to Russia gave him the opportunity to not only look at the submarine but other military hardware as well, like helicopters.

“I also saw their other equipment in the Army exhibition in Moscow,” he told reporters in a chance interview yesterday during the arrival in Manila of the Navy contingent that participated in the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Lorenzana said the AFP can look at the hardware by probably sending the Army and the technical working group (TWG) of the PAF to Russia.

For the submarine, he added that the Philippine Navy, also through a TWG, will likewise visit Russia to look at the vessel.

“We are still looking around, we’re scouting for assets that suit our capabilities, our budget and our need for such equipment in our events, in our defense,” he said.

Lorenzana noted that the AFP is not only focusing on Russia but is also considering military equipment from France, Germany, Sweden, Indonesia, South Korea, Indonesia and even the United Kingdom.

He confirmed that Russia is also inviting the AFP to join training exercises since Russia conducts army, special forces, ranger, shooting and even culinary exercises annually.

Lorenzana said the military will look into sending an observer to such training next year to determine if the AFP would join the same, considering that there is a lot to learn from the Russians.

“And then later on, if the Army, Navy, Air Force say, ‘sir, we need those, can we participate’, then we participate,” he said.