(Eagle News) — The Department of National Defense on Friday, Aug. 17, said the acquisition of submarines from South Korea or Russia was not yet final.
In a statement, the DND said it will acquire the same “from any country as long as the procurement follows the proper process as provided for under Philippine laws, and the equipment meets the requirements of its end users.”
“We emphasize that the Defense Department will procure equipment that is most advantageous for the Armed Forces of the Philippines through our AFP Modernization Program,” the DND said.
Earlier, Randall Schriver, US assistant secretary of defense for Asian and Pacific security affairs, said the Philippines should “think carefully” about its plans to buy from Russia.
“…I think we can be a better partner than the Russians can be to the Philippine people,” he said.
