MANILA, Philippines — The French nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, Charles de Gaulle, along with its accompanying fleet, arrived in the Philippines on Sunday after conducting military exercises with Filipino forces in the contested waters of the South China Sea, a move likely to provoke China.
The Charles de Gaulle arrived at Subic Bay, a historic U.S. Naval base situated northwest of Manila, on Friday for a rest period following an extensive two-month deployment across the Indo-Pacific region. During its stay, the French carrier engaged in collaborative exercises with regional security allies to enhance readiness for contingencies and bolster local maritime security. This included operations focused on anti-submarine warfare and aerial combat training held in the South China Sea, according to representatives from both Philippine and French militaries.
Last year, the French navy made a notable move by deploying a frigate to join combined exercises with U.S. and Philippine forces in and around these contested waters. This participation formed part of the largest military maneuvers conducted in recent years, known as Balikatan (meaning “shoulder-to-shoulder” in Tagalog), which saw over 16,000 military personnel involved. China vocally opposed these exercises, accusing the Philippines of allying itself with external forces, particularly the U.S., which it claimed created tensions and risked destabilizing the region.
The recent military engagements of France, particularly its deployment to the Philippines, highlight the nation’s commitment to ensuring stability and fostering maritime cooperation throughout the Indo-Pacific, as expressed by Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesperson Colonel Xerxes Trinidad.
The Charles de Gaulle, recognized as the only other nuclear-powered aircraft carrier besides those owned by the U.S. Navy, spearheaded a strike group that also consisted of three destroyers and a logistics vessel. French officials noted that this marked the vessel’s inaugural visit to the Philippines.
France has been intensifying its military connections not only with the Philippines but also with other Southeast Asian nations facing territorial challenges from China in these critical trade routes. However, it clarifies that these military preparations are not directed against any specific nation.
On the other hand, China has expressed strong disapproval of the presence of foreign military forces, particularly from the U.S. and its allies, who frequently conduct military drills and patrols in these contested waters. Beijing claims nearly the entirety of the South China Sea, yet it has not publicly shared precise coordinates of its claims, which are generally outlined by a vague line on maps known as the “nine-dash line.”
The territorial disputes have led to confrontations, not only with the Philippines, but also involving Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan. Indonesia has also experienced conflicts with Chinese fishing vessels and coast guard in the Natuna region.
Recently, a tension-filled incident occurred where an Australian Defense Minister reported that a Chinese J-16 fighter jet released flares dangerously close—only 30 meters (100 feet)—to an Australian P-8 Poseidon surveillance aircraft over the South China Sea. Fortunately, the Australian military asset was unharmed, and no personnel were injured during the February 11 encounter. A spokesperson from China’s Foreign Ministry accused the Australian aircraft of intruding intentionally into disputed airspace near the Paracel Islands, a territory claimed by both China and Vietnam.
In late 2023, significant strides were made in military collaboration when French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu and Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro inked an agreement to reinforce mutual defense efforts. Discussions commenced last year concerning a defense pact that would permit the forces of each nation to conduct training exercises within each other’s territories. French negotiators have since provided a draft of this agreement to their Philippine counterparts for further negotiation.
The Philippines has previously established status-of-force agreements with both the U.S. and Australia, while an agreement with Japan is anticipated to be ratified shortly by Japanese lawmakers. Additionally, talks concerning a similar pact with New Zealand have recently concluded, further illustrating the Philippines’ push for expanded military ties.
