DefenceTalkThe Philippines has scrapped an order for 16 Russian military helicopters, an official confirmed Wednesday, following reports former president Rodrigo Duterte decided to cancel it due to US sanctions on Moscow. Manila — a longtime Washington ally — agreed in November to pay 12.7 billion pesos ($228 million) for the Mi-17 helicopters, as it seeks […]https://www.defencetalk.com/philippines-cancels-russia-helicopter-deal-over-us-sanctions-79196/

DefenceTalkThe Philippines and the United States launched the largest-ever joint military drills in the archipelago nation on Monday, signaling deepening defence ties as fresh tensions surface in the disputed South China Sea. The war games are the last under outgoing President Rodrigo Duterte, who previously threatened to cancel exercises and axe a key military deal […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-philippines-kick-off-their-largest-ever-war-games-78514/

DefenceTalkPhilippine President Rodrigo Duterte has walked back on a decision to end a key military deal with the United States, his defence secretary said Friday during a visit by Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin. Duterte told the United States in February last year he planned to axe the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) after Washington cancelled the […]

DefenceTalkThe United States on Wednesday warned China against what the Philippines and Taiwan see as increasingly aggressive moves, reminding Beijing of Washington’s obligations to its partners. “An armed attack against the Philippines’ armed forces, public vessels or aircraft in the Pacific, including in the South China Sea, will trigger our obligations under the US-Philippines Mutual […]

DefenceTalkThe State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of the Philippines of six (6) AH-64E Apache attack helicopters and related equipment for an estimated cost of $1.5 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today. The Government of […]https://www.defencetalk.com/philippines-requests-to-buy-apache-ah-64e-attack-helicopters-75349/

DefenceTalkThe State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of the Philippines of six (6) AH-1Z attack helicopters and related equipment for an estimated cost of $450 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today. The Government of the […]https://www.defencetalk.com/philippines-requests-ah-1z-attack-helicopters-and-related-equipment-and-support-75346/

DefenceTalkThe US military has cancelled a large-scale exercise involving thousands of troops in the Philippines because of the coronavirus pandemic. The decision to scrap Balikatan 2020 was taken “in light of the extraordinary circumstances surrounding COVID-19 pandemic and in the best interest of the health and safety of both countries’ forces”, US Indo-Pacific Command chief […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-cancels-major-philippines-war-games-due-to-virus-74994/

Washington: US President Donald Trump dismissed concerns Wednesday about the Philippines canceling a major military accord, saying the decision would save Americans money. The 1998 Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) created a legal framework for the presence of US troops in the Philippines and for organizing joint military exercises. Manila announced its decision Tuesday — a […]

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has threatened to end a pact key to annual war games with American troops if the US does not restore the travel visa of an official who oversaw his drug war. It is the latest in a long line of Duterte’s threats to shrink or sever ties with historical ally Washington, […]

MANILA: The Philippine Air Force (PAF) is currently evaluating two aircraft for its multi-role fighter (MRF) project, Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said Monday night. “One of the aircraft being evaluated is from Sweden (the Saab JAS 39 Gripen) and the other is the American (General Dynamics) F-16 (V),” Lorenzana said when […]