U.S. Navy F-18 fighter jets are parked on the deck of aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) during a goodwill visit in Manila, Philippines. (Reuters)The United States has made available US$100 million in foreign military financing to the Philippines, its ambassador in Manila said on Friday, part of efforts to boost the Southeast Asian country's defence capabilities and military modernization. The new military financing underscores improved defence ties between the treaty allies under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, whose predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte, shifted his country's foreign policy away from the United States to pursue warmer ties with China. Manila is looking to buy heavy-lift Chinook helicopters from the United States. The amount includes US$475.3 million worth of foreign military financing to Philippines, among the biggest in Southeast Asia.

Source: The Standard October 15, 2022 09:07 UTC