Philippines, Germany expand defense cooperation

Photo from Department of National Defense. 

By Joe M. Reyes | Date 08-07-2024

MANILA — The Philippines and Germany had started working to expand defense cooperation in terms of military training, information exchanges, and equipment transfers, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr said.

Teodoro said the Philippines was hoping to conclude with Germany a bilateral defense cooperation agreement “as soon as possible”.

“Hopefully within this year,” Teodoro said, after meeting with German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, who was on his first visit to Manila.

Teodoro said the Philippines is interested in holding military training and exercises and exchange in information.

He said it was premature to conclude the two sides would sign a Visiting Forces Agreement, similar to what the Philippines has with the United States, Australia, and Japan. 

“Who knows, but we cannot say at this time,” he added.

The Philippines is also looking at Germany as a potential source of equipment in its ambitious modernization program, Teodoro said.

“We will be looking to engage with Germany as a possible supplier of these capabilities,” he said.

“These are basically in the command and control area, anti-access area denial (A2AD), maritime domain, aerial domain, and in higher technologically capable equipment,” he said.

For his part, Pistorius said there is an urgent need to enhance cooperation with the Philippines because it would send a “clear message” that “countries advocating the rules-based international order stand together.”

“Our stance is clear: All countries must be able to enjoy freedom of navigation regardless of their economic strength or geographic size,” he said, taking a swipe at China.

“This is what we stand up for together with our partners. And this is how we can guarantee stability and security.”

He said the 2016 Permanent Court Arbitration is “valid without any exceptions.”

“We call on all countries to adhere to it,” he said referring to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

“We need to do more than stand up for UNCLOS. We need to contribute to de-escalation. This is only possible if we keep all channels of communication open, including those with China,” said Pistorius.

“By participating in the Indo-Pacific deployment, we have followed the rules-based international order.”

In a press briefing, Pistorius said two German ships are due to visit Manila next month.

Teodoro said the Philippines has invited the German warships “to participate in a maritime cooperative activity (MCA), joint sail or a passing exercise.”