Russia Considers Philippines Promising Regional Partner - Defense Minister

© AP Photo / Bullit MarquezRussian Defense Minister Gen. Sergei Shoigu prepares to take his seat for the two-day ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting and its Dialogue Partners Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2017 at Clark, Pampanga province, north of Manila, Philippine
Russian Defense Minister Gen. Sergei Shoigu prepares to take his seat for the two-day ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting and its Dialogue Partners Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2017 at Clark, Pampanga province, north of Manila, Philippine - Sputnik International
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Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has held a meeting with his Philippine counterpart Delfin Lorenzana to discuss military and defense cooperation as the leaders of the two states had previously agreed on Russian arms supplies to help Manila's fight against terrorism.

CLARK (Philippines) (Sputnik) — Russia considers the Philippines to be a promising regional partner and is working to further strengthen defense ties, Russian Defense Minister Army Gen. Sergei Shoigu said Tuesday at a meeting with his Philippine counterpart Delfin Lorenzana.

"The leaders of our states have outlined the strategic priorities of bilateral cooperation. Active work is being conducted today to implement the agreements reached, including to further strengthen ties in the defense sphere," Shoigu said as he and his counterpart signed an agreement on defense industry cooperation.

The first ever contract to supply Russian RPG-7V grenade launchers to the Philippines has been signed as well in Clark, where the meeting of the defense ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries is being held..

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This is the first time, Moscow and Manila have signed a contract on defense industry cooperation. The Philippine side has had certain difficulties in purchasing new weapons from the United States with the Philippines' Duterte saying that Washington makes excessive conditions which complicate the trade. 

During his May visit to Russia to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin, Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte expressed Manila's interest in advanced Russian weapons, including helicopters, planes, as well as precision-guided weapons to help combat the terror threat. According to the country's ambassador, the Philippines could sign a series of arms delivery contracts with Russia by the end of the year.

The country has also shown interest in Russia's anti-terror equipment amid the ongoing operation against a Daesh-linked terrorist group.

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