DND chief’s Moscow visit to deepen Philippines-Russia ties

MANILA, Philippines — Defense relations between the Philippines and Russia are expected to further deepen with top Manila defense officials’ ongoing official visit in Moscow.

Defense spokesman Arsenio Andolong said Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and his party are now in Moscow to further expand defense cooperation between the two countries.

While in Russia, Lorenzana and Defense Undersecretary for finance and materiel Raymundo Elefante are also expected to visit the Russian-sponsored “Militech” forum, as both are also window shopping for big-ticket military platforms for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Modernization Program.

“Defense Secretary Lorenzana was invited by his Russian counterpart to visit Moscow… The objective of the meeting during the visit is to discuss possible areas to further expand or enhance our current defense cooperation and to deepen that relationship,” Andolong said.

Andolong also clarified that to date, there is no official agreement on the offer made by Russia, through a soft loan, to provide the Philippines with two improved diesel electric submarines.

He said that submarine procurement from Russia, including offers made by South Korea, France and Indonesia, are still being studied while pointing out that the Philippines, being a sovereign state, has every right to determine where to  get the needed military equipment for the AFP.

Andolong issued this statement without directly referring to visiting United States Defense Assistant Secretary for Asian and Pacific Security Randall Schriver, who cautioned the Philippines last week against buying major military platforms from Russia as he said this is unhealthy to Philippine-US relations.

Meanwhile, Navy chief Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad pointed out yesterday the best way for the Philippines to realize its plan to acquire submarines, a plan already approved by President Duterte, is to enter into a government-to-government deal due to the lack of funding to bankroll the procurement.

As to the knowhow in submarine operations, the Navy has an activated submarine group, whose members have been sent abroad for training.

“Our submarine group is now moving forward and with the support of the President, we are increasing our training because submarine operation is another kind of capability. We need to train more personnel for them to handle highly complex submarine equipment,” Empedrad said.

As to the reported plan of the Philippines to acquire two Russian-made  kilo-class submarines, Empedrad said he is looking at Vietnam to help train Fllipino sailors in handling the sub-surface warship.

Vietnam has six kilo-class submarines from Russia in its inventory. Empedrad said he has requested the Vietnamese navy for help in training Filipino sailors in handling and sailing the Russian-made subs.