DND talking with Russian firm to cancel helicopter deal

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of National Defense (DND) is now talking to aircraft manufacturer Sovtechnoexport to finalize the cancellation of the Philippine government’s P12.7-billion helicopter deal with Russia.

With President Marcos himself announcing that the planned purchase of 16 Mi-17 military heavy-lift helicopters will no longer be pursued, formal discussions to terminate the same are now being carried out.

“Following the letter of termination signed by former secretary of national defense Delfin Lorenzana and serving of the formal notice from the contract termination and review committee, there had been an exchange of communications with Sovtechnoexport, in accordance with the procedures under Republic Act 9184,” DND spokesman Director Arsenio Andolong announced yesterday.

Andolong said the Mutual Consultation Board, which will engage representatives of Sovtechnoexport in further discussions regarding the project’s termination, is in the process of reactivation and reconstitution.

He added that the DND will provide the Russian embassy in Manila with updates on the discussions, considering how Moscow’s Ambassador to Manila Marat Pavlov earlier said that Russia wants the Philippine government to honor the contract.

Andolong told reporters last Tuesday that the Philippines had not officially notified Russia of its decision to cancel the deal, and Sovtechnoexport was actually proceeding to manufacture the Mi-17 helicopters since an initial payment had been made.

The following day, however, Marcos said the Philippine government would not be pursuing the helicopter purchase deal that was canceled by the administration of former president Rodrigo Duterte as the country looks to the United States to buy similar air assets for the military.

“I think ... it was already determined by the previous administration that the deal will not carry through, will not go on… The deal with Russia was for some heavy-lift helicopters and now, we have secured an alternative supply from the United States through the manufacturer (from) Poland. In any case, we have a new supplier,” Andolong told reporters.

Despite the deal’s cancellation, the DND official expressed confidence that the termination of the contract will not affect Philippine-Russia relations.