DND seeks to recover P1.9 billion deposit on Russian helicopters

The Philippines is now looking at legal steps to recover the nearly P2-billion deposit it made for 16 helicopters from Russia following the termination of the billion-peso deal between the two countries.

Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro said the department’s legal team was now looking into the best legal means for the country following the P1.9-billion down payment made, as reported on GMA’s “24 Oras Weekend” on Sunday.

To recall, the Department of National Defense (DND) in August 2022 announced the cancellation of the procurement of 16 Mi-17 heavy-lift helicopters from Russia worth P12.797 billion.

Then-DND spokesperson Director Arsenio Andolong said the cancellation was due to “changes in priorities necessitated by global political developments” despite the P1.9-billion down payment made.

This came as countries, including the United States, implemented sanctions on Russia while several companies boycotted the country following its invasion of Ukraine.

For its part, the United States said it would extend $100 million in foreign military financing to the Philippines following the termination of the deal with Russia. —  Jon Viktor Cabuenas/DVM, GMA Integrated News