The Philippines International Trading Corporation (PITC) has signed a Memorandum of Agreement that it predicts will have “a huge effect” on countertrade volumes. PITC head Dave Miranda Almarinez won the backing of President Duterte by convincing him that the Philippines also needs to begin establishing a domestic defence industry.
A Russian security report indicates that Russian intelligence services are opposing a deal to supply Turkey with four S-400 batteries. The services question the wisdom of allowing a NATO member access to the technology transfer. Turkish President Erdogan has said that his government has signed a contract with Rosoboronexport for delivery of the batteries and paid a deposit.
Poland’s new offset law may now be more than three years old but it’s still showing little sign of practical application. One of the issues that may raise doubts is the law’s scope, says lawyer Tomasz Zalewski. It’s unclear, for example, whether a foreign supplier must commit to an offset agreement when a Polish supplier to the government subcontracts to a foreign company.
About 130 delegates heard how Tawazun has fostered eighteen successful offset partnerships and that since its establishment in 1992 Tawazun has become “a centre of excellence” in the development and fast-track execution of new and diverse commercial projects. Contractors who were present told CTO that no-one raised any issues. No-one would dare.
French Armed Forces Minister Florence Parly has offered Belgium an “in-depth partnership” to favour the Dassault Rafale for the Air Combat Capability Programme. Belgian Defence Minister Steven Vandeput confirmed that France did not respond to the call for tenders. “We must first consider the legal status of this proposal,” he told Belgium’s Radio 1.