Weeks after ditching the idea of buying more than a dozen Russian helos, the Philippines is now considering purchasing and employing the US-made heavy-lift Chinook helicopters.

US Ambassador MaryKay Carlson told reporters last Friday that Washington has granted Manila $100 million in foreign military financing to help aid its military modernization efforts and boost the defense capabilities of its longest ally in Southeast Asia.

In August, the Philippines canceled its helicopter deal with Russia to buy 16 Mi-17 military transport helicopters just days before the end of Rodrigo Duterte’s six-year term as the head of state. The former president, throughout his term, has established a reputation of being a staunch critic of the US government, leaning most of his foreign policy towards China.

Last week, the United States granted one of its longest allies in Southeast Asia, the Philippines, $100 million in foreign military funding, intended to boost the latter’s military modernization efforts and defense capabilities. The move has been a one-eighty under the new administration that strive to improve defense ties with the West superpower in contrast to the previous president, Rodrigo Duterte, who leaned and favored most of his foreign policy towards China.