DND urged to negotiate with Moscow over ‘cancelled’ chopper deal
HOUSE Minority Leader Marcelino “Nonoy” Libanan has urged the Department of National Defense (DND) to negotiate with Moscow for a possible “happy ending” to the dispute over Manila’s canceled order for 16 Russian military heavy-lift helicopters worth a total of P12.7 billion.
“Instead of clawing back the P1.9 billion down payment for the canceled order – which might be difficult if not impossible – we would urge the DND to try to get at least one helicopter plus spare parts delivered in return for the money,” Libanan said.
“This way, the Philippine government’s money does not go to waste, and Russia does not have to worry about reimbursing us the funds,” Libanan said.
“This is a practical and sensible solution that could offer both parties a happy ending,” Libanan added.
“Based on the canceled order, each helicopter costs around P800 million, and the balance of P1.1 billion may be recovered in the form of supplies of spare parts,” Libanan pointed out.
In July, former Defense Sec. Delfin Lorenzana said he canceled the deal to acquire the Russian helicopters in a decision reached in June that was approved by then-President Rodrigo Roa Duterte before their terms in office ended on the 30th of that month.
The cancellation was due to fears of possible U.S. sanctions after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, according to Lorenzana.
When the House of Representatives deliberated on the proposed 2023 national budget last month, Libanan asked the DND for an update on the aborted procurement of Russian helicopters.
The DND, through budget sponsor Negros Occidental Rep. Mercedes Alvarez, told members of Congress that the government remains “unsure” if it can still recover the P1.9 billion advance payment for the scrapped deal.
The Russian helicopters were meant to build up the Philippine Air Force’s (PAF) chopper fleet for the transport of troops, equipment, and supplies, medical evacuation, and disaster relief operations.
Each helicopter can carry 24 soldiers, 12 stretchers, or even small vehicles. With an internal payload capacity of four tons, the chopper can also alternatively carry up to three tons of underslung loads.
AUTHOR PROFILE
Nation
