MANILA, Philippines — Russia remains open to reviving the shelved $38-million military helicopter deal with the Philippines and expanding bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors, its top diplomat in Manila said on Wednesday.
Speaking to reporters, Russian Ambassador Marat Pavlov emphasized that Moscow is prepared to resume talks on the Mi-17 helicopter contract, which was terminated by the Philippines in 2022 over concerns about potential sanctions from the United States.
“It takes two to tango. We are ready to fulfill our part if the Philippine government changes its position,” Pavlov said in a chance interview after delivering a lecture at the Department of Foreign Affairs’ Foreign Service Institute.
The Philippines had earlier scrapped the deal—originally approved by former President Rodrigo Duterte—due to fears of violating the U.S. Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA). The legislation restricts countries from acquiring military equipment from Russia, especially after its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
The deal, which included 16 Mi-17 heavy-lift helicopters and a bonus VIP unit, was officially canceled in June 2022. Then-Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana cited the threat of U.S. sanctions as the primary reason.
“Terminating the contract is the prudent thing to do,” Lorenzana said in a letter to Duterte, adding that any continuation would have had adverse effects on the Philippines.
In response, the Marcos administration shifted defense procurement to the U.S., acquiring 10 Black Hawk helicopters in 2024 as part of a broader deal for 32 Sikorsky units under the country’s military modernization program.
Despite this, Pavlov reiterated that Russia is committed to enhancing cooperation in various sectors, not just defense. These include trade and investment, energy—particularly peaceful nuclear energy—maritime affairs, agriculture, health, and tourism.
“Russia’s position is clear: we seek to enhance cooperation and build friendship,” Pavlov said. “We want to maintain friendly relations with the Philippines under President Marcos.”
Strategic Balancing Act
The Philippines’ long-standing defense alliance with the United States, formalized through the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty, continues to shape Manila’s foreign policy. The treaty obligates both countries to defend each other in case of an armed attack and underpins joint annual military exercises.
With Russia expressing renewed interest in defense and technical cooperation, the Marcos administration now faces a familiar balancing act—navigating alliances while diversifying strategic partnerships amid shifting geopolitical currents.