MANILA – The French Navy’s aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle and its escort ships are set to visit the Philippines in February, marking a significant milestone in the growing maritime security cooperation between the two nations.
French Ambassador to the Philippines Marie Fontanel announced this at a maritime cooperation forum in Makati City, stating that the visit is in line with the 2023 defense cooperation agreement between France and the Philippines.
“This underscores France’s commitment to strengthening its involvement alongside the Philippines and will facilitate numerous joint activities with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP),” Fontanel said.
Regional Stability and Joint Exercises
The carrier group is currently participating in the Le Perouse 2025 maritime exercise, involving 13 naval vessels and over 30 aircraft from nations such as the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. This multinational drill highlights maritime safety and security operations in critical trade routes and runs from January 16 to January 24.
While the AFP is not directly participating, it is engaged remotely through the IORIS, a European Union-funded communication platform designed for maritime crisis coordination and information sharing.
Fontanel reiterated that France remains committed to regional stability through its active engagement in the Indo-Pacific, citing French President Emmanuel Macron’s 2018 Indo-Pacific strategy as a framework for dialogue and dispute resolution.
Expanding Defense Collaboration
France’s presence in the Philippines has grown significantly in recent years. In 2024, France participated in the Balikatan exercises, deployed its Pegase 24 Air and Space Force to Clark Air Base, and hosted three port calls by French naval ships. Additionally, a defense mission was established in Manila last June to further bilateral engagements.
Aside from maritime security, France is also eager to collaborate with the Philippines on maritime safety and environmental protection initiatives.
The February visit of Charles de Gaulle signifies not only France’s deepening ties with the Philippines but also its broader commitment to fostering cooperation across the Indo-Pacific.
ia/mnm
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Following recent defense agreements with the United States and Australia, and ongoing talks for a similar pact with Japan, France has signaled its determination to forge a new partnership with the Philippines.
The commitment was made on Saturday, with France pledging to explore an accord that would enable both nations to deploy troops to each other’s territories.
This development aligns with France’s strategic goal of reinforcing its role in the Asia-Pacific region, amidst the ongoing power dynamics between China and the United States.
Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro highlighted the shared values and cooperation between France and the Philippines, emphasizing a collaborative approach not only in the South China Sea but also in the broader Pacific area. The aim is to enhance defense cooperation and presence alongside other Oceanic nations.
The defense chief added that he and his French counterpart Sebastien Lecornu agreed to seek authorization from their respective presidents and relevant agencies to start negotiations for a visiting forces agreement (VFA).
Lecornu, the first French defense minister to make an official visit to the Philippines, also disclosed that the French navy already had a “high number of operations and training in the region”.
“We are working on an agenda of strengthening our presence in the Indo-Pacific,” he said.
With this latest development, political pundits told Maharlika NuMedia that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s declaration to be “friend of everyone and enemy to none” seems to be working in the country’s favor against foreign aggression.
(ai/mnm)