Russian General Shoigu Makes Historic Arms Deal With Qatar and Philippines
Sergey Shoygu has arrived today to Doha. It's the first-ever visit of the Russian Minister of Defense to Qatar. Shoygu has already had important talks with the country's senior officials. With the Emir of Qatar, Shoygu discussed matters of global and regional security.
During the meeting with his Qatar counterpart, Russian Minister of Defense has agreed to a bilateral collaboration in the military sector. Aleksey Konopko is reporting on the agreements that have already been signed.
The Minister is received in the Marble Hall of the Emir's palace. It's the place that had seen presidents and kings. A short greeting—and down to business. The countries have a different view of the situation in the region, but they are ready to talk.
Sergey Shoygu, Russia's Minister of Defense: "We have things to talk about. Like safety in the region, especially the situation in Syria. I hope that our talks today will help to strengthen our collaboration in the military-technical sector".
Khalid bin Mohammad Al Attiyah, Qatar's Minister of Defense: "I'm happy to welcome Russia's Minister of Defense and our dear friend — Sergey Shoygu".
Back in 1999, Moscow and Doha have drafted an agreement on the military-technical collaboration but it was never ratified. The second treaty in two days has been signed by Minister Shoygu.
The parties seem ready to implement both military and technical sections right away. Qatar demonstrates interest in Russian air defense systems and their manufacturing technologies. Shoygu came to Doha today from the Philippines where he also had a busy schedule.
In the morning, he gave president Rodrigo Duterte a tour of anti-submarine ship Admiral Panteleyev.
It's 19 meters in width. Ship's autonomy is 30 days. Displacement of 7,000 tons. The crew of 300 people. Rockets, torpedoes, anti-aircraft cannons and even two helicopters on board. Admiral Panteleyev has a successful history of fighting pirates in the Gulf of Aden. And considering the fact that here the extremists have captured and kept control of a whole city for half a year, this arsenal doesn't seem excessive anymore.
For more than a century, the Philippines — first under the direct rule, and then under the protection of the US, who have the largest military bases in the region — had never really chosen partners in the defense sector.
But the new president is sick of the motto, "Weapons strictly in exchange for loyalty". It's not yet clear what they will buy from Russia. So far, there's only a contract for grenade launchers but the plans include patrol motorboats, Varshavyanka submarines, MI-7 helicopters and high-precision weapons. Counter-sabotage grenade launcher.
The treaty on military-technical collaboration signed on the previous night is the first one in the 40 years of diplomatic relations. Tours and symbols are more of a background, the ships, however, hold secrets. Their cargo holds have 20 military Ural trucks, 5,000 Kalashnikov rifles, and a million rounds. It's a gift to the Philippines from their northern neighbor, who is becoming their partner.
Aleksey Konopko, Azat Atagonov. Vesti from Manila, the Philippines.