Moscow says the Philippine government has not officially notified Russia of its decision to cancel the deal for 16 Mi-17 helicopters, but Manila says a formal notice to terminate the contract was sent to the manufacturer in June, and another last month.
« : »Russia wants the Philippine government to honour a signed contract to purchase 16 military heavy-lift helicopters, which the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte had cancelled due to fears of possible US sanctions. Moscow’s ambassador to Manila, Marat Pavlov, told reporters on Wednesday night that the Philippine government has not officially notified Russia of its decision to cancel the deal and a Russian company was proceeding to manufacture the Mi-17 helicopters after the Philippines made an initial payment. Filipino pilots, who would operate the helicopters, have undergone Russian training, he said. The Russian aircraft manufacturer was ready to deliver one of the helicopters in June “but unfortunately, it was not accepted by your government,” the ambassador said. “We are ready to fulfil all our obligations as a reliable partner of the Philippine side in the field of technical military cooperation and we consider that it will also be done by the Philippines,” Pavlov said. The Department of National Defence in Manila, however, said a formal notice to terminate the contract was relayed to Russian aircraft manufacturer Sovtechnoexport in June. Another notice reiterating the Philippine decision to cancel the contract was sent last month by the administration under new President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr, department spokesman Arsenio Andolong said. The Department of National Defence has convened a committee to thresh out the details of the country’s withdrawal from the deal, Andolong said.
