The Philippines decided to cancel their Mi-17 procurement deal signed last year, which also included maintenance and training – it entailed a price tag of around 12.7 bn. pesos (USD 243 million). The decision is tied to the war in Ukraine and the sanctions imposed by the United States. Just recently the Philippines also ordered 32 Black Hawk helicopters at the Polish PZL Mielec facility. Further procurement, aimed at the filling the gap that emerged, following the cancellation of the Russian deal, is also being considered.
The decision was made, as the government in Manilla was worried about the US sanctions hitting the Philippines, within the framework of the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act targeting the states procuring military equipment in Russia, Associate Press reported, quoting anonymous Filipino officials. As the agreement has already been concluded, the first installment was paid in January – and as Manila announced, a termination procedure would now be launched concerning that agreement. The Russians can appeal that decision, but the Filipino government does not have much room to move here. It is also emphasized that the said deal was concluded by the former President, Rodrigo Duterte.