Why Philippines is interested to acquire submarines from Russia?

(This article I wrote was published in Navy Forces V online magazine. For global updates and analysis in the naval sector, subscribe to Navy Forces V.)

Despite the cultural and language barriers, between the Philippines and Russia, the Philippines is looking at Russia to supply the first diesel-electric submarines for the Philippine navy. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana made the announcement that President Rodrigo Duterte is contemplating the move to procure the submersible vessels that can be used for humanitarian response,  maritime counter-terrorism and sovereignty issues in the South China Sea.

To upgrade its naval capabilities, the Philippine Navy earlier allocated an estimated USD 6 billion to acquire three Del-Pilar frigates, 12FA-50 light-lift interim jet fighters, strategic sealift vessels and eventually the diesel electric submarines. Thus, with the intention to procure the first units of submarines by batches, the Philippine Armed Forces have already formed the submarine group whose members are regularly being sent to countries with successful submarine fleet management program, in preparation for the Philippine’s acquisition of these submersible assets that will extend up to the post-Duterte administration.

Despite the existing mutual defense treaty with the US,  the Philippine’s commander-in-chief (President Duterte) managed to choose Russia as a supply-partner to improve the dilapidated naval fleets in the Philippines.  So why Russia?

Well, most ASEAN nations are now preferring to procure their weapons from Russia. According to the 2017 Chatam House Report , 43.1% of  Russia’s manufactured military weapons are now being exported to Asia and Southeast Asia. This means, there is a growing demand  for Russian military and naval weapons in the ASEAN market and that includes the Philippines.

In addition, (to be continued)