PH, France hold naval exercises in WPS
The Armed Forces of the Philippines and the French Navy conducted joint maritime drills in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) on Friday, “to enhance their interoperability, communication and defense capabilities.”
AFP said on Friday night it was the first joint military activity between the Philippines and France in the West Philippine Sea, waters within Manila’s 370-kilometer exclusive economic zone.
The French Navy’s aircraft carrier Charles De Gaulle, Fregate Europeenne Multi-Mission Destroyer Provence, Force Supply Vessel Jacques Chevallier, Air Defense Destroyer Forbin, and Aquitaine-class frigate Alsace participated in the drills.
The AFP deployed the BRP Jose Rizal, BRP Gregorio del Pilar, C90 aircraft and its two FA50s to the drill.
“Through joint maritime cooperative activities and collaborative efforts, the AFP seeks to build a stronger, more resilient defense system that is prepared to address the challenges of the modern security landscape,” Brawner said in a statement.
This bilateral activity took place amid ongoing negotiations for a visiting forces agreement (VFA) between Manila and Paris.
VFA talks under way
The VFA enables a mechanism for shared military training and operations and larger joint exercises between the Philippines and France.
The arrival of the French aircraft carrier was also part of the letter of intent signed by Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro and his counterpart, French Minister of the Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu, last December 2023 when the first VFA negotiation began.
Col. Xerxes Trinidad, chief of the AFP public affairs office, said in a statement the French Navy flagship Charles De Gaulle held drills with the BRP Jose Rizal (FF150), BRP Gregorio del Pilar (PS15), C90 aircraft, two FA50s and Philippine Air Force search-and-rescue units.
The French Navy also used two multimission destroyers, an air defense destroyer and the auxiliary oil replenishment ship Jacques Chevallier during the exercise.
The series of drills, held at the joint operational area of the Northern Luzon Command, includes antisubmarine warfare exercises, replenishment at sea and dissimilar aircraft combat training.
Third joint maritime drill
The joint drills on Friday were the third joint maritime activity between Manila and its allies in the West Philippine Sea in the last three weeks.
On Feb. 12, the Philippines, United States and Canada held joint maritime drills in the West Philippine Sea. Japan and Australia also conducted joint drills with the Philippines a week earlier.
The AFP said the successive conduct of a maritime cooperative activity with allies showed “the growing international focus on maritime security in the West Philippine Sea and aims to strengthen interoperability and defense capabilities among ally and partner nations.”
The joint drills between Manila and Paris were held as the two countries are having negotiations for a possible visiting forces deal, which would allow both countries to deploy troops on each other’s territory. —WITH REPORTS FROM INQUIRER.net
