DND still interested in Russian sniper rifles

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 14): DND still interested in Russian sniper rifles

While the People's Republic of China has expressed its willingness to provide the country's military units with firearms with generous payment terms, Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said they will still look at sniper rifles being offered by Russia.

This is based on the orders by President Rodrigo Duterte, he said.

"The President told us to look into the sniper rifles being produced by Russia as these are good. Although we are still to see anything yet, they (Russians) will show us some models for testing to (determine whether these are suitable for our needs)," Lorenzana said in Filipino.

Earlier, DND undersecretary for finance, munition, materiel Raymund DV Elefante said the country is open to acquire weapons of all kinds from Russia but said these are dependent on the nation's capabilities to handle these equipment.

Capabilities refer to the funding and manpower capable of handling these weapons.

"It depends. As long (as) we have capabilities (i.e funds and manpower) but this is still a long-term (plan)," he added.

Elefante made this statement when asked if the Philippines is interested in acquiring attack helicopters, diesel electric submarines and fighter jets from Russia aside from small arms like the AK-47 automatic rifle and longe-range sniper rifles.

Duterte earlier ordered the DND to look into Russia as possible sources of armaments and other weaponry needed by the Filipino military.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=948488