PH, Japan signing defense equipment, technology transfer agreement on Monday

From Update.Ph (Feb 27): PH, Japan signing defense equipment, technology transfer agreement on Monday

The Philippines will be signing an agreement with Japanese government that will pave way for the transfer of military hardware and technology to the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

National Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, in a report by Associated Press, said that he will sign the agreement in behalf of the Philippine government on Monday, February 29, with the Japanese ambassador in Manila.

The report added that no discussion on a particular equipment yet but Gazmin said the country needs upgrade on intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.

The transfer of military equipment and technology agreement is going to be first between Japan and a Southeast Asian country.

In November last year, at the sidelines of Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Summit in Manila, Philippines and Japan have agreed on principle on the transfer of defense equipment and technology during a bilateral meeting between President Benigno Aquino III and Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

“We welcomed the agreement in principle on transfer of defense equipment and agreed to work together for the early signing of agreement and realization of cooperation in defense equipment,” Prime Minister Abe said during a joint press briefing after the meeting with President Aquino at the sidelines of APEC meeting.

http://www.update.ph/2016/02/ph-japan-signing-defense-equipment-technology-transfer-agreement-on-monday/2890