Abdelrahman
ABOARD THE CHARLES DE GAULLE, Philippines (AP) — France’s nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, along with a fleet of warships, arrived in the Philippines on Sunday. This follows joint combat exercises with Filipino forces in the contested South China Sea, showcasing military strength that may provoke China.
The Charles de Gaulle docked at Subic Bay, a former U.S. naval base located northwest of Manila, for rest after over two months of operations in the Indo-Pacific region. The French carrier collaborated with allies to enhance readiness for contingencies and bolster regional security, conducting anti-submarine and aerial combat exercises with Filipino navy ships and aircraft on Friday, according to officials from both nations.
“Our goal is to strengthen cooperation with regional partners who share our values, such as upholding international law and ensuring freedom of navigation in our shared maritime domains,” stated French Ambassador to Manila, Marie Fontanel, during a news conference aboard the Charles de Gaulle.
Fontanel addressed reporters near several parked Rafale supersonic jets, an attack helicopter, and a reconnaissance plane, with the flags of France and the Philippines proudly waving in the breeze.
“Our presence serves as a continual reminder of the need to support and protect what unites us all—international law and collaboration,” Fontanel added.
Last year marked a significant milestone when the French navy dispatched a frigate for the first time to engage in joint maneuvers with American and Philippine forces in the disputed waters. This operation was part of the largest scale military exercises conducted in years between U.S. and Filipino troops, known as Balikatan (meaning “shoulder-to-shoulder” in Tagalog), which involved over 16,000 service members.
China criticized these exercises, accusing the Philippines of forming alliances with external nations, specifically referencing the United States and its allies. They cautioned that such drills could escalate tensions and threaten regional stability.
Recent military deployments by France in the Philippines highlight its unwavering commitment to regional security and the collective objective of enhancing maritime cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, remarked Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesperson Co. Xerxes Trinidad.
The Charles de Gaulle is one of only two nuclear-powered aircraft carriers in the world, alongside those of the U.S. Navy, and led a strike group comprising three destroyers and a replenishment ship during its inaugural visit to the Philippines, according to French officials.
France is increasing its military presence and partnerships with the Philippines and other Southeast Asian nations involved in maritime disputes with China, emphasizing that these preparedness activities are not targeted at any specific nation.
However, China has expressed strong disapproval of foreign military presence, particularly that of the U.S. and its allies, conducting naval drills or patrolling the South China Sea—territory Beijing claims largely without providing detailed coordinates. Their claims overlap with those of neighboring nations, including the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan, leading to ongoing territorial disputes. Indonesia has also faced violent incidents with Chinese coast guard vessels in the Natuna waters.
Recently, Australia lodged a protest after a Chinese J-16 fighter jet reportedly released flares within 30 meters (around 100 feet) of an Australian P-8 Poseidon surveillance aircraft over the South China Sea, according to Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles. Fortunately, the military aircraft was unharmed, and no crew members were injured during the February 11 incident. A spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry accused Australia of “deliberately” encroaching on airspace above the disputed Paracel Islands, which are contested by China and Vietnam.
At the end of 2023, French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu and Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro formalized an agreement to enhance military collaboration and joint operations.
Discussions for a defense pact between France and the Philippines commenced last year, enabling troop exercises on each other’s soil. French officials have presented a draft of the agreement for negotiation with their Philippine counterparts.
The Philippines has established similar status-of-forces agreements with the U.S. and Australia. A pact with Japan is anticipated to be ratified by Japanese lawmakers this year, while negotiations for a similar agreement with New Zealand reached completion recently.
