Philippines Scraps Russian Helicopter Deal Fearing US Sanctions

 The Philippine government has canceled an agreement to buy Russian military helicopters due to fears of possible US sanctions, the Associated Press revealed, citing Manila officials.

Former Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana told the outlet that he scrapped the 12.7-billion-peso ($227 million) deal to acquire 16 Mi-17 multi-purpose helicopters last month “that was approved by then-President Rodrigo Duterte before their terms in office ended on June 30.”

The deal was signed in November, with the arrival of the first batch of choppers expected in two years.

Lorenzana said that the deal could have led to US sanctions, adding that a similar arrangement with the US could be in the offing.