News Report: Russia-Philippines Cooperation Agreement Includes Intel Sharing on Terrorists

One of eight cooperation agreement signed between Russia and the Philippines in May envisions intelligence sharing on terrorism, Ambassador of the Philippines in Moscow Carlos Sorreta told Sputnik.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — During his visit to Russia in May 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.

Following Duterte’s official visit to Moscow, Russia and the Philippines signed a package of agreements, highlighted by the agreement on military cooperation. Media reports suggested that Russia may be offering the Philippines some form of soft loans in the initial stage of military equipment procurement.

News Report: Philippines Eyes Russia-Made Attack Helicopters, Smart Weapons - Ambassador

The Philippines is interested in purchasing Russian-made attack helicopters and smart weapons, Ambassador of the Philippines in Moscow Carlos Sorreta told Sputnik.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — He added that Manila was looking into procuring arms "that can be carried by soldiers."

"We are also looking at the possibility of helicopters. Attack helicopters and attack smart weapons," Sorreta said in an interview published Monday.

The Philippines looks to purchase a portion of Russian weapons directly and take advantage of loans for more advanced arms, Sorreta added.

"We have a budget to buy certain items immediately. For the bigger items Russia has offered a system of loans, very good loan [terms]," Sorreta said in an interview published Monday.

News Story: Air Force low on 'smart' munitions, Lorenzana admits

By Alexis Romero

MANILA, Philippines — The military aircraft that launched the air strike that killed 11 soldiers in Marawi City last Wednesday ran out of precision-guided munitions, forcing the pilots to drop ordinary and less accurate bombs, a Cabinet official said Thursday.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana confirmed that a conventional bomb hit government forces, resulting in the death of the 11 soldiers and the wounding of seven others.

“We still have some precision-guided munitions na pagka pinakawalan ‘yan talagang kung saan naka — naka-indicate na area, pupunta doon (that will really hit the indicated targets). But medyo naubusan na tayo niyan (we ran out of that),” the Defense chief said in a press briefing in Malacañang.

“They are now using conventional bombs and if you commit a mistake, either you will release it in advance or the release will be delayed then you will not hit the target,” he added.

Lorenzana said the first aircraft “hit the target squarely” but the second one dropped the bomb on the government forces.

“We do not yet know what happened. We are still investigating,” he said.

Read the full story at PhilStar

News Report: China’s Precision-Guided Bombs Get Rocket Booster

At this week’s IDEX exhibition in Abu Dhabi, China’s Aerospace Long-March International Trade Co, Ltd (ALIT) revealed the Fei Teng FT-12, a precision-guided glide bomb with rocket boosters.

Though the 1550 lb FT-12 has been reported previously, the addition of rockets to the projectile is new. The latest version of the FT-12 was completed about a year ago, according to IHS Jane’s, adding that a small number was purchased by a "Chinese customer." 

A "5-10 kg" (11-22 lbs) rocket motor was added by designers at the China Academy of Launch Technology, to add value to the series. A 375-620 mph release velocity gives the FT-12 a maximum range of some 93 miles, according to an ALIT brochure, but this would depend both on the altitude of the launch and the size of the rocket booster.

Guided by a GPS/INS system it can also engage fixed targets with a 65-foot circle of error probability (CEP).

According to the IDEX website, the exhibition is "the only international defence exhibition and conference in the MENA region demonstrating the latest technology across land, sea and air sectors of defence. It is a unique platform to establish and strengthen relationships with government departments, businesses and armed forces throughout the region."

This story first appeared on Sputnik & is reposted here with permission.

News Story: PH submits wish-list to China - drones, rockets, vessels

Chinese Wing Loong UCAV

The Philippines has submitted the list of defense equipment to China as it hopes Beijing can supply through a $14-million grant, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said on Tuesday in Malacañang.

When asked about the list of defense equipment, the defense chief said “na-formalize namin ‘yan…Meron na tayong listahan doon eh (It has been formalized…We already have a list that is with them.”

Lorenzana said he gave the list of equipment to Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua “3 weeks ago,” and once China approves the funding, a representative of the Philippine government will go to China.

Read the full story at Tankler

News Story: Duterte asking for precision-guided weapons from Russia

President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday said he wants to buy “precision-guided” weapons from Russia amid the government’s offensive against Islamic extremists in Mindanao.

During the traditional dinner with Armed Forces of the Philippines Council of Sergeant Majors in Malacanang, the president disclosed he would visit Russia sometime in March or April.

Duterte said he will be accompanied by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana to meet with their Russian counterparts and discuss the possible acquisition of “precision-guided ” armaments.

“We are talking about precision-guided [arms]. Hindi ko kailangan ng (I don’t need) anti-aircraft. Rebelde lang naman ‘to (They’re just rebels). But we are facing a very serious threat…,” he said, addressing Lorenzana.

Read the full story at Tankler