Philippines, France sign visiting forces agreement to boost military cooperation

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines and France signed a Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA) on Friday, expanding defense ties and allowing easier deployment of troops between the two countries. Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and French Minister for the Armed Forces Catherine Vautrin formalized the agreement following a bilateral meeting in Paris, where Teodoro is attending a series of engagements, including the Paris Defense and Strategy Forum. The SOVFA sets the legal framework for the presence of visiting forces, facilitating joint exercises, training, and other military cooperation activities. “We were able to reach this stage in record time because of the fact that our two countries have had years of trust and confidence in working and dealing with one another,” Teodoro said in a speech during the signing, a recording of which was provided to media in Manila by the Department of National Defense. France becomes the latest country to enter into a visiting forces arrangement with the Philippines, as Manila expands its network of defense partnerships under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.. The Philippines maintains a long-standing Visiting Forces Agreement with the United States and signed a similar pact with Australia in 2012. More recently, Manila concluded a Reciprocal Access Agreement with Japan, whose troops are set to participate in the upcoming Balikatan exercises alongside Filipino and American forces—marking the first deployment of Japanese combat personnel to the Philippines since World War II. Teodoro has also overseen visiting forces agreements with Canada and New Zealand, while negotiations for a similar pact with the United Kingdom are expected to begin soon. In his remarks, Teodoro said the agreement with France reflected a shared commitment to strengthening defense capabilities and upholding international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Even before the deal was finalized, France had joined the Philippine Navy in joint drills in the West Philippine Sea. French naval vessels are also expected to participate in Balikatan 2026, the Philippines’ largest annual military exercise with the United States. France has been among the countries supporting the Philippines amid tensions with China in the South China Sea, where Manila asserts its maritime entitlements. In a keynote speech in Paris, Teodoro emphasized the need for deeper cross-regional cooperation in security and defense, citing growing challenges that require coordinated responses among like-minded nations.

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