The AFP will be arming itself with brand new RPG-7B Grenade Launcher from Russia

The Marawi siege has really been an eye opener for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)

More than ever it showed the need to modernize the different branches of the AFP in terms of armaments and tactics. Reports have been plenty that the AFP will be embarking on doctrine change most specially in the military operations in  urban terrain (MOUT), our soldiers have been so familiar in the jungles that what happened in Marawi somewhat caught us in a  bind.

Little that we know, because of the warm ties now being enjoyed by Philippines and Russia, the government thru the Secretary of Defense Delfin Lorenzana signed an agreement with representatives from Russia, hopefully this will pave the way for future major arms acquisition of the Philippines. *

Russian made RPG-7B grenade launcher (photo credit to TAAS website)

As reported in TAAS.COM, last October 24, Moscow and Manila have signed a contract for the delivery of the Russian-made RPG-7B grenade launchers and ammunition to the Philippines.

The contract was signed by Russia’s Rosoboronexport CEO Alexander Mikheyev and Philippine Defense Minister Delfin Lorenzana in the presence of Russian Defense Minister Army General Sergey Shoigu.

The signing ceremony took place in the Philippines’ Clark, where the fourth meeting of defense ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states and dialogue partners is being held.

The number of weapons systems and the value of the contract were not disclosed at the time of signing.

The RPG-7 is a reloadable, shoulder-fired, muzzle-loaded, recoilless antitank and antipersonnel rocket propelled grenade launcher that launches fin-stabilized, oversized rocket - assisted HEAT grenade

 

Last May of this year Russia and Philippines signed an agreement wherein the former will supply much needed modern military hardware to the East Asian country as well as cooperate on further defence and counter-terrorism measures as well as the war against drugs.

 

In the sidelines of the fourth meeting of defense ministers from the member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and its dialogue partners, Russia and the Philippines signed an intergovernmental agreement on military technical cooperation. *

 

Also, a clear manifestation that the President’s Independent Foreign relations is bearing fruit , a few weeks back the Russian government formally donated military equipment and trucks to the Philippines in a handover ceremony held in the port of Manila, on board the Russian Pacific Fleet’s large antisubmarine warfare ship Admiral Panteleyev.

 

The transfer of military equiptments  includes 20 units of multi-purpose Ural trucks , 5,000 units of AK-74M Kalashnikov assault rifles, 1 million units of ammunition and 5,000 units of steel helmets.

 

Report from taas.com