Russia offers to cooperate in producing AK guns with the Philippines
(Baonghean.vn) - In the context of warmer bilateral relations, Russia believes that this is the right time for the Philippines to "diversify" defense cooperation and other forms of cooperation with other countries, without causing damage to Manila's traditional alliances.
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| Russia is proposing a joint project with the Philippines to manufacture rifles, including AKs, in the Southeast Asian country. Photo: AP |
As part of the growing partnership, among other projects, Russia is proposing a joint project with the Philippines to manufacture rifles, including AKs, in the Southeast Asian country.
“Last year... we proposed to build a joint manufacturing facility here, to jointly produce Russian rifles,” said Russian Ambassador to Manila Igor Khovaev.
However, Mr. Khovaev said, there has been no response from the Philippine government so far. The diplomat stressed that the Russian proposal does not contain any political strings attached.
Ambassador Khovaev affirmed: “Russia has experience in supplying weapons and military equipment to Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand, so this is the time to show openness and diversify cooperation. Diversified cooperation will not harm your traditionally close relations with some other allies.”
However, the proposal is likely to be opposed by the United States, the Philippines’ defense ally. Last month, during a visit to Manila, US Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs Randall Schriver warned Manila against buying military hardware from Russia, a US rival.
Responding to this warning, Ambassador Khovaev emphasized that the US and other traditional allies of the Philippines should not interfere in bilateral cooperation between Manila and Moscow, as well as the choices made by the two countries, including defense cooperation and arms procurement./.
