Amid escalating tensions between the Philippines and China in the South China Sea, the French aircraft carrier fleet conducted combat exercises with the Philippine military in the disputed waters, showcasing its firepower. Following the exercises, the French nuclear-powered aircraft carrier and accompanying warships arrived in the Philippines on Sunday, February 23.
During this visit to the Philippines, the French aircraft carrier cooperated with the Philippine military, navy vessels, and fighter jets to enhance emergency preparedness and promote regional security. Officials from the Philippines and France stated that on Friday, the two countries’ militaries conducted anti-submarine warfare exercises and air combat training in the South China Sea.
The French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle is currently docked at Subic Bay, a former U.S. Navy base in northwest Manila, for a brief rest after being deployed in the Indo-Pacific region for over two months.
On Sunday, French Ambassador to Manila Marie Fontanel stated at a press conference on the flight deck of the Charles de Gaulle: “Our goal is to deepen cooperation with regional partners with whom we share common values such as respect for international law and ensuring freedom of navigation in shared waters.”
The French aircraft carrier is equipped with Rafale supersonic fighter jets, attack helicopters, and reconnaissance aircraft. Fontanel added, “Our presence constantly reminds us of the importance of promoting and protecting what unites us, such as international law and cooperation.”
Xerxes Trinidad, spokesperson for the Philippine Armed Forces, remarked that France’s recent military deployment and the ongoing military cooperation with the Philippines underscore France’s commitment to regional security and the shared goal of enhancing maritime cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.
French officials stated that the Charles de Gaulle is the world’s only nuclear-powered aircraft carrier besides those of the U.S. Navy, and this is its first visit to the Philippines, leading a strike group that includes three destroyers and a replenishment oiler.
A few days ago, France issued a statement saying that the visit of the aircraft carrier strike group to Subic Bay and Manila is “unprecedented” for the Philippines.
Last year, the French Navy deployed a frigate for the first time in the Indo-Pacific region, participating in joint navigation exercises in disputed waters with the U.S. and Philippine military. This exercise was part of the largest annual joint military exercise held in the Philippines by the U.S.-Philippine alliance in recent years, known as the “Shoulder-to-Shoulder” exercise, which involved over 16,000 military personnel.
During the exercise, China expressed strong dissatisfaction with the joint military drills, accusing the Philippines of colluding with countries outside of Asia.
Though France has stated that the emergency readiness actions during the exercises are not directed at any specific country, there are existing disagreements between some Southeast Asian countries, including the Philippines, and China. France has been strengthening its military contacts with these countries, whose presence can help safeguard vital global trade routes in disputed waters.
China claims nearly the entire South China Sea. On July 12, 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled unanimously on the maritime dispute between the Philippines and China, declaring China’s sovereignty claims in the South China Sea as baseless. China refused to participate in the arbitration and rejected the ruling.
In the prolonged standoff, China’s claims clash with those of the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan. Indonesia has also faced intense clashes with Chinese coast guard and fishing fleets in the Natuna Sea.
Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles stated that two weeks ago, a Chinese J-16 fighter jet fired flares over the South China Sea within 30 meters (100 feet) of an Australian P-8 Poseidon surveillance aircraft, prompting a protest from Australia.
At the end of 2023, French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu and Philippine Defense Minister Gilberto Teodoro signed an agreement to enhance military cooperation and joint operations.
Negotiations between France and the Philippines began last year on a defense agreement that would allow both countries’ military forces to conduct exercises on each other’s territory. The French negotiating team has presented a draft of the agreement to their Philippine counterparts to commence discussions.
The Philippines has also signed similar Visiting Forces Agreements with the United States and Australia. An agreement with Japan is expected to receive approval from Japanese lawmakers later this year, while negotiations with New Zealand on a similar defense agreement have recently concluded.