DND, AFP Officials Inspect Heavy Lift Helicopters in Russia

 The Department of National Defense (DND) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) officials met with Sovtechnoexport officials to discuss the technical specifications of the aircraft, as well as other administrative matters. (Moscow PE photo)

MOSCOW 20 March 2020 – A delegation from the Department of National Defense (DND) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), headed by National Defense Assistant Secretary Josue Gaverza, Jr., visited Russia from 03 to 07 March 2020 to meet with Sovtechnoexport officials and visit the Ulan Ude Aviation Plant for the planned acquisition by the Philippines of Mi171 Heavy Lift Helicopters.

The Mi171 Heavy Lift helicopter is a multipurpose transport aircraft that can perform combat, search and rescue, as well as medical evacuation missions. 

The delegation members, majority of whom are veteran air force pilots, also visited the training center for pilots and maintenance crew, where they had the opportunity to try the pilot simulator systems used for flight training of the aircraft.

Other members of the delegation included Brigadier General Rene Honasan, Lieutenant Colonel Jeezer Molve, Major Arvin Acosta, and Captain James Esteleydes. Philippine Defense and Armed Forces to Russia Colonel Dennis Francis V. Pastor facilitated the visit and joined the group during the inspections.

The group also met with Philippine Ambassador to Russia Carlos Sorreta and discussed possible defense and security cooperation activities with Russia.

The first batch of Mi171 helicopters is expected to be delivered by mid-2021. END

The Department of National Defense (DND) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) delegation tour the Ulan Ude Aviation plant, together with Sovtechnoexport engineers and facility managers. (Moscow PE photo)

The Department of National Defense (DND) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) team observe the manufacturing and assembly lines of the Mi 171 helicopters. (Moscow PE photo)

 Philippine Air Force’s Lieutenant Colonel Jeezer Molve inspects the facility for the flight trainings of the aircraft. (Moscow PE photo)

The delegation, headed by Department of National Defense (DND) Assistant Secretary Josue Gaverza, Jr., met with Philippine Ambassador to Russia Carlos Soretta at the Embassy to discuss possible defense and security cooperation activities with Russia. (Moscow PE photo)

For more information, visit https://www.moscowpe.dfa.gov.ph, or https://www.facebook.com/PHLinRussia/ or https://twitter.com/phlinrussia.