Soldiers of the Phlippines in the southern Marawi city (Photo: Xinhua/VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu is expected to visit the Philippines to sign a cooperation deal in bilateral defence industry, said Deputy Defence Minister Alexander Fomin on August 22.
Speaking with reporters, Fomin affirmed that the deal has been discussed. The two countries currently have no cooperation agreement on the defence industry. Meanwhile, the Philippines is struggling to buy new weapons from the US.
During his visit to Russia in May 2017, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said the Philippines wants to purchase small arms from Russia.
[Philippines, Russia eye stronger defence links]
The same day, Deputy National Defence Undersecretary of the Philippines Raymundo DV Elefante said intelligence agencies of the two countries have strengthened cooperation in counter-terrorism, especially amid increasing threats from the self-styled Islamic State.-VNA
