Russian military donations to AFP

From Russia with love 

Russia donates 5,000 kalashnikov AKM assault rifles, 20 Ural 6x6 8-ton general purpose, off road trucks, 5,000 Ssh-68 steel helmets, and 1 million rounds of 7.62x39 mm ammunition, to the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

The AKM assault rifles, and the Ssh-68 steel helmets

The AKM is a modernized variant of the AK-47 chambered in 7.62x39 mm Russian round, Russia also donated 5,000 Ssh-68 steel helmets to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) which is uncomfortable to use, and it is already obsolete when compared to modern day 21st century helmets.

URAL trucks

Russia also donated 20 Ural 6x6 8-ton general purpose, off road trucks to the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Russian/Soviet Ural trucks are known as the back bone of the USSR armed forces during the cold war, in the present time the Ural trucks could now be converted into different variants depending on the needs of the Russian armed forces, the trucks are still currently in use by the Russian armed forces.

Analysis

Like what happened to the donated assault rifles of China, the donated assault rifles, and trucks of Russia might be donated to the Philippine National Police (PNP) as well, the Philippine National Police (PNP) unlike the armed forces is a law enforcement agency, and being civilian in nature their doctrines, principles, training, and how they conduct daily operations are somehow not similar with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

If the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) choose to keep the donated assault rifles of Russia, it is quite interesting to know who would be the end user of these donated assault rifles, the donated AKM would seem to be a major logistical disaster, that is because it would affect military principles, and doctrines, would be changed or be modified once again that is because of the introduction of the 7.62x39 mm Russian rounds. The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) standard assault rifle is the M4A1 that uses 5.56x45 mm rounds, the M16 assault rifles that also uses 5.56x45 are used by the reservists. 

If the Armed Forces of the Philippines choose to keep the donated assault rifles, the good news is, the Government Arsenal could mass produce 7.62x39 mm rounds, once they are required to do so by the Department of National Defense for the logistical sufficiency of our 7.62x39 rounds.

The 20 Ural 6x6 8-ton general purpose off road trucks, could be donated to the Philippine National Police, if the armed forces is the end user of the 20 Ural then it might end with specialized units such as the nurse/medical corps, engineering brigades, and similar smaller units within the Armed Forces of the Philippines that is because of its limited numbers.

The donation might open a door to a deeper, and better Philippine-Russian relations, although the intention of the Russian donation is to counter terrorism within the Philippines. 

Some Filipinos interpret it as a teaser or just a mere sample for Russian military hardware, at the same time viewed as an military investment of Russia in the Philippines for its bid, and business interests on the ongoing AFP modernization programs. While some Filipinos view the donation, as a donation of Russian stockpiled Cold War era junk. 

"Beggars can't be choosers"

Click the link for the report: We'll buy arms from Russia, Philippines' Duterte tells Putin

“We are looking at helicopters, small arms and equipment for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations, but we are still discussing the specifics,” said the same military official who declined to be named because he was not authorized to talk to the press.

 “We still prefer U.S. and Western equipment but they are very expensive. If the Russians and Chinese equipment can be comparable in quality, then they can be excellent alternatives.”

Q&A

Tell us what do you think about the Russian donation on the comments; and

Is the Russian donation useful for the Armed Forces of the Philippines?         

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New 155 mm howitzers of the Philippine Army, and Marines

The Philippine Army

"The M101 remained a fixture across Southeast Asia where it was continuously employed by the militaries of the Philippines, xxx. The Philippine Army in particular never let go of its Vietnam-vintage M101’s in its long battle against restive Muslims in Mindanao." "The M101’s career is far from over. It remains in the arsenals of at least a half dozen Latin American countries and is found throughout Asia. Whether marking a national holiday with a salvo or pounding terrorist camps in the Southern Philippines the M101 hasn’t become redundant. With its literal impact on modern history it is apparent the roar of the M101’s thunder will echo for years to come (http://www.military-today.com/artillery/m101.htm)."

The Philippine Army primarily uses 105 mm howitzers, the standard howitzers of the Philippine army are the M101 105 mm howitzer, a WW II howitzer of the United States of America first known as the M2 105 mm howitzer, the M2 105 mm howitzer was later on re-named after WW II, the howitzer is then made available for re-production after the war, and has been sold to allied customers throughout the world. 

The Philippine Army also has some 155 mm howitzers but they barely use it on actual military operations, and they are not the newly acquired 155 mm Soltam howitzers, the 105 mm is not a bad gun, but the thing is it is not as powerful as compared to the 155 mm howitzer. 

That is because a 155 mm howitzer has more power and it has a longer range as compared to a 105 mm howitzer, for that reason alone the Philippine Army could already fire artillery barrages to enemy forces that are positioned two times farther.

The additional fire power and range, is a changing factor in the war zone/battlefield, I am glad, and proud that our armed forces acquired the Soltam 155 mm howitzers, the camouflage patterms is also unique.

 Elbit-Soltam M-71 155mm/Towed 39CAL howitzers, MaxDefense Philippine

The Philippine Marines

The Philippine Marines will also receive their own 155 mm Soltam howitzers, in fact the marines already received their 155 mm Soltam and it is already deployed at Marawi to help in the fight against the Maute Group, according to a AFP Modernization Today member, the marines did operate some 155 mm howitzers once in the past, some were donated by the US armed forces to the Philippine Marines. The said howitzers are placed at a base at Luzon, possibly for storage, and display or for the war museum of the armed forces of the Philippines. 

The primary operators of howitzers in the country are the Philippine Army only, that is the reason why we could not really tell that the Philippine Marines did operate any howitzers, however the Philippine marines uses mortars for artillery support, but all of that are about to change, because of the new 155 mm Soltam howitzers acquisition of the Philippine Marines. The gun is an added fire power for the marines, it is a good choice by choosing the Soltam 155 mm howitzers.

 Elbit-Soltam M-71 155mm/Towed 39CAL howitzers, .gmanetwork.com
Here you could spot a Elbit-Soltam M-71 155mm/Towed 39CAL howitzers that is already deployed at Marawi to help fight off terrorists and rebels, according to GMA news, the link to the said report is at the pictures' caption.

Here is the basic specification of the Elbit-Soltam M-71 155mm/Towed 39CAL howitzers;

Main weapon caliber (mm)	155
Barrel length (calibres)	39
Weight (kg)	9200
Length (mm)	7500
Width (mm)	2580
Height (mm)	2115
Ground clearance (mm)	380
Track (mm)	2200
Elevation (degree)	52
Depression (degree)	-3
Track (mm)	84
Rate of fire (rds/min)	5
Firing range (m)	23500
Crew	8

"The Soltam Systems towed 155 mm M-71 gun-howitzer is a further development of the Soltam Systems towed 155 mm M-68 gun-howitzer and uses the same recoil system, breech and carriage. The first prototype was completed in 1974 and first production units the following year. The main differences between the M-71 and the M-68 are that the former has a longer 155 mm/39 calibre barrel and is fitted with a rammer driven by compressed air. This permits rapid loading at all angles of elevation. The rechargeable cylinder for the M-71 is mounted on the right trail. The barrel has 48 grooves, length of rifling is 5.038 m, width of groove 6.6 mm, width of land 3.5 mm and depth of groove is 1.2 mm." 

"Soltam systems is now concentrating its marketing on the latest 155 mm TIG 2000 artillery system which is available with a 39, 45 or 52 calibre ordnance. Details of this system, which is understood to have been developed for the export market, are given in a separate entry. Details of recent Israeli 155 mm artillery exports through 2006 are provided in the entry for the Soltam Systems 155 mm TIG gun-howitzer family." 

The howitzers have already been tested at the 2017 Marawi seige at the Philippines. The Philippine-United States of America military exercises will help develop, and improve the skills of the Philippine soldiers on handling this type of weapons, the Philippine Armed Forces already did train with the most modern 155 howitzer in the world and that is the M777 155 mm howitzers of the US armed forces, although it would be better if both forces would train on the M71 soltam 155 mm howitzers next year at 2018, that is because such military exercises will improve further the skills of the Filipino artillery men, and soldiers on how to operate such devastating weapon. The acquisition of the M71 Soltam 155 mm howitzers is a moral boosters for the Philippine Army, and Philippine Marines, we are exited to see the M71 Soltam 155 mm howitzers of the Philippine Army, and of the Philippine Marines get tested during live military exercises.

Here is the report about the 155 mm howitzer acquisition of both the Philippine Army, and Philippine Marines, click the link for the report.

Philippine military gets 3 brand-new 155-mm howitzers, 9 more en route 

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The Russian Federation offered helicopters, naval equipment and small arms to the Philippines

(c)

Moscow. 24 May. INTERFAX.RU - Russia held a presentation for the Philippines of helicopters, naval equipment and small arms, Interfax was told on Wednesday by the Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSMTC) of Russia.

"It's premature to talk about deliveries of specific types of weapons and military equipment, we are waiting for official appeals from the Philippine side," said Maria Vorobyeva, the official representative of the Federal Arbitration Service of Russia.

She stated that the presentation of the Kalashnikov concern products, Mi-17V-5, Mi-171Sh, Mi-35 helicopters, high-speed boats, coast guard systems and other military products was held on the Philippine side.

The FSMTC said that it was a matter of military equipment and weapons, which would help the Philippines to increase the effectiveness of the fight against terrorism and piracy.

"We are discussing the issue of the formation of the legal framework for Russian-Philippine military-technical cooperation," Vorobyova said.

"The Russian Federation, in response to the interest of the leadership of the Republic of the Philippines in the development of military-technical cooperation, expresses its readiness for further discussion of the parameters of mutually beneficial partnership relations in this area," the FSMTC representative said.


Translated from Interfax.ru using Google Translate

SOURCE:Interfax

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Navy's Strategic Sea Lift Vessel (SSV) in Action

The Strategic Sea Lift Vessel of the Philippine Navy delivered logistical support and supplies to Marawi city the city was previously besieged by members of the Maute Group. The picture below shows the Armored Personnel Carriers (APC) of the Philippine Army (Belgian M113A2 but were used by the US armed forces and was later on donated to the Armed Forces of the Philippines) armed with .50 cal Remote Controlled Weapons Systems, .50 cal Machine Guns, and 25 mm Cannons.

M113A2 armed with .50 caliber machine gun, VJDefense.com

M113A2 armed with 25 mm cannon. VJDefense.com

M113A2 armed with .50 caliber machine gun, VJDefense.com

Here are some of the pictures of the M113A2 of the Philippine Army that were sent into battle at Marawi.

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Russia asks Philippines to submit shopping list of defense equipment

Foreign Affairs Sec. Alan Peter Cayetano meets with Russia Foreign Minister Sergey Lavror in Moscow. The STAR/Alexis Romero

MOSCOW – Russia has asked the Philippines to submit a shopping list of defense equipment after President Rodrigo Duterte urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to provide him with a loan to buy firearms.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Cayetano said the Russian government was willing to “do all efforts” to accommodate Duterte’s request.

“The response of the Russian Federation through President (Vladimir) Putin was very, very generous. So they said, well, we have the framework in place through our agreements to cooperate,” Cayetano said in a press briefing Wednesday night here.

“They have showed us what is available to us. I’m not at liberty now to discuss that…but they are awaiting our proposals,” he added.

While there was no decision yet on the loan being sought by the Philippines, Cayetano said Russia has provided help to countries that it considers as friends.

“It’s nothing new for the Russian Federation to lend a helping hand to countries that are their friends,” the Foreign Affairs chief said.

Duterte asked Putin for a soft loan during their bilateral meeting in Kremlin last Tuesday, hours before the Philippine leader left for Manila. Duterte said he needed money to buy firearms as the Philippines’ rifle deal with the US had been scrapped.

The US State Department halted the sale of some 26,000 rifles to the Philippine police last year after Democratic Sen. Ben Cardin had raised issues about the Duterte administration’s human rights record.

Cayetano said the loan may be used to buy not just firearms but to acquire equipment that would improve the chances of survival of government troops.

“These are really modern equipment that can be used to fight terrorist that will avoid injuring or causing deaths or damage or deaths to innocent bystanders or people in a community and also to prevent collateral damage,” Cayetano said.

“That also goes, for example, for our police and our military. You know, they’re suffering. They’re getting hurt. They don’t have the best hospital equipment. Sometimes, the Abu Sayyaf have better equipment than they do,” he added.

Duterte also invited Putin to visit the Philippines during their bilateral meeting.

Cayetano said Putin had expressed his gratitude to Duterte for the invitation. It was unclear whether the Russian leader accepted the invitation but Cayetano said such invitations do not usually get immediate response.

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev is expected to come to the Philippines in November to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit and related summits. 

SOURCE: Philippine Star

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PH, Russia to sign defense deal during Duterte visit

FIRST MEETING. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and Russian President Vladimir Putin meet for the first time during the APEC Summit in Peru in 2016. Malacañang file photo

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines and Russia will sign a defense cooperation agreement and other bilateral deals when President Rodrigo Duterte goes on a 5-day official visit to the country next week.

Duterte will visit the cities of Moscow and St Petersburg during his visit from May 22 to 26, and will be accompanied by several Cabinet officials and a large business delegation, Foreign Assistant Secretary Maria Cleofe Natividad said in a Palace briefing Friday, May 19.

Natividad said deals expected to be signed during the visit include a defense cooperation agreement, a memorandum of understanding on cooperation between Russian and Philippine security councils, a treaty on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, and an extradition treaty.

The defense agreement, which will deal specifically with "military and technical cooperation," will set the stage for the Philippines' possible acquisition of defense assets from Russia.

"The agreement on military technical cooperation will pave the way for the Philippines to explore a possibility of military procurement from Russia," said Natividad.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana had earlier confirmed he would sign a defense cooperation deal with Russia's defense ministry involving information sharing, training, and technical cooperation.

Another expected outcome of the visit is the establishment of a Philippine Office of Defense Attaché in Moscow and a similar Russian office in Manila.

Highlights

The other highlights of the visit include a bilateral meeting between Duterte and his "idol," Russian President Vladimir Putin, a bilateral meeting with Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, and a visit to a St Petersburg military shipyard. 

Duterte will also have a gathering with the Filipino community in Russia and nearby states. The growing number of Filipinos expected to attend the event has prompted organizers to change the venue, Natividad said.

The Philippine leader will also give a speech at Russia's Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO), a world-renowed diplomatic school.

He is expected to "articulate his admininstration's commitment to pursue an independent foreign policy," said Natividad.

Official vs state visit

Unlike Duterte's first visit to China, his Russia visit will only be an official visit, and not a state visit.

An official visit is considered a level lower than a state visit in terms of ceremony and importance.

However, Natividad said "this is as important as a state visit if you look at the quality of meetings the President will be having with Russian officials."

The decision on the type of visit was made by the Russian government as the inviting party. But Natividad is confident that Russia will still give Duterte a red carpet welcome.

She also emphasized the significance of the visit as it is upon the invitation of Putin himself.

The last Philippine president to visit Russia upon the invitation of its leaders was Fidel Ramos.

The formal invitation to Duterte reached the Philippine government as early as January but due to Duterte's busy schedule, which included hosting an Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit, the visit had to be pushed back.

Another important factor that influenced the date of the visit was Russia's climate. Natividad admitted they waited for "good weather." Duterte previously spoke of an aversion to visiting countries during the cold season. – Rappler.com

SOURCE: Rappler

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Service Advisory - Labels on Procurements

Please be notify that the AFP MT is improving its page in order to serve its readers better. In this case, we will introduce several changes which involves search results on procurement of military weapons pertaining to AFP.

Instead of one, there will be five series of procurement, naming:

Procurement (Army)
Prourement (Navy)
Procurement (Air Force)
Procurement (Coast Guard)
Procurement (Others)

ALSO...

Service Advisory Tabs will be included on the News Tab while Procurements will be having another series of tabs on the main links bar.

Thank you, and happy reading.

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