09 Nov Russian Assault Rifles Presented Before Philippine Embassy
Original Image Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer
A week after President Rodrigo Duterte’s pronouncement of his interest in looking to Russia and China for high-end weapons deal, Russia’s largest weapons manufacturer presented to the Philippine Embassy in Moscow the upgraded model of their assault rifles.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Russian manufacturer Concern Kalashnikov presented how AK 47 assault rifles have developed and how its upgraded model “could match and exceed the specifications of its competitors.”
Philippine Ambassador to Russia Carlos D. Sorreta said in the statement, “While there are no definite plans yet to purchase Russian small arms, I believe this briefing can be very useful in any comprehensive assessment of how to address our country’s defense needs.”
He added, “Any decision will have to be made by the concerned agencies as end users and also because they have the experience, expertise, and authority to make the necessary determinations.”
Concern Kalashnikov, represented by Deputy CEO Arkadiy Privalov during the briefing, manufactures assault and sniper rifles, guided artillery projectiles and a wide range of precision weapons, recognized as the flagship of Russia’s small weaponry manufacturing sector. It offers 95 percent of the small weapon in Russia and supplies to more than 20 other countries.
The embassy asked Russia if they “would support the Philippines’ own efforts to develop its small arms industry, as they have done in other countries that bought their weapons,” Sorreta said.
President Duterte considered buying weapons from other countries following the US state department said would stop the purchase of assault rifles to the PNP.
News Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer
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