Philippines Scraps Russia Helicopter Deal, Buying From US Instead: President

Newly-elected Philippine President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. delivers a speech during the inauguration ceremony at the National Museum in Manila, Philippines, on June 30, 2022. Eloisa Lopez/Reuters

The Philippine President said Thursday that his government would buy military helicopters from the United States as an “alternative” to the 16 Russian helicopters that were canceled by the former administration.

Former President Rodrigo Duterte canceled the deal to buy 16 Mi-17 heavy-lift helicopters from Russia before his tenure ended in June over fears of possible U.S. sanctions amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.