For the first time, France has included the Philippines in its annual Indo-Pacific air force mission. A contingent of French aircraft will stop at Clark Airbase, located 93 kilometers northwest of Manila, during this year’s Pegase mission.
The Pegase 24 mission will be based at Clark Airbase, used by the US military until 1991. It will consist of two Rafale multi-role fighters, an A400M tactical lift aircraft, and an A330 aerial refueling and military transport aircraft.
“During the stopover, bilateral activities are expected to help build the foundations of air-to-air cooperation between the two countries,” the Philippines’ Department of National Defense stated on July 15. The department said the event marks “a first in the history of Philippine-France defense relations.”
Marie Fontanel, France’s ambassador to the Philippines, highlighted France’s commitment to upholding freedom of navigation as essential to maintaining an open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region.
Speaking at a conference commemorating the eighth anniversary of The Hague’s landmark ruling in favor of the Philippines in its arbitration over territorial rights in the South China Sea, Fontanel remarked that the Pegase 24 mission signified France’s dedication to regional security.
France’s strategic engagement with the Philippines has been growing steadily. In June, France appointed a resident defense attaché to the Philippines. This move followed a meeting between Philippines Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and French Minister for the Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu, where both sides committed to strengthening bilateral defense ties.
An additional indication of France’s commitment is its participation in regional military drills. For the first time, the French Navy participated in this year’s edition of the Balikatan exercises. In April, the Floréal-class frigate FS Vendémiaire (F734) docked in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, for the exercises.
Further, the Philippines is currently negotiating a defense pact with France that will enable mutual deployment of military forces for joint exercises. Fontanel announced that France aimed to submit the first draft of a visiting forces agreement with Manila by September.
Presently, the Philippines holds status-of-forces agreements with the United States, Australia, and Japan. The inclusion of France in this network of defense partnerships will signify a robust and multi-faceted approach to regional security and cooperation to counter China in the region.
Philippine Air Force Strengthens Ties with Allies
In addition to the upcoming aerial drill with France, the Philippine Air Force (PAF) has deployed FA-50 aircraft to participate in Australia’s biennial ‘Pitch Black’ exercise for the first time, aiming to improve its air combat proficiency.
On July 10, four PAF FA-50PH Fighting Eagles arrived at the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base Darwin.
These aircraft will engage in mock combat drills with various combat aircraft from other air forces throughout the exercise, which began on July 12 and is scheduled to conclude on August 2.
Colonel Randy Pascua, PAF Detachment Commander in Australia, said that ‘Pitch Black’ provides an opportunity for the PAF to enhance its dissimilar air combat tactics.
He noted that while the PAF excels in air-to-surface strikes, the exercise will focus on air interdiction and offensive counter-air operations, which are crucial for improving mission readiness and capability.
On July 15, two of the PAF’s FA-50PHs flew alongside two RAAF F-18 Hornets for a basic fighter maneuver (BFM) exercise. The following day, the FA-50PHs teamed up with the Indonesian Air Force’s F-16s for another BFM exercise, demonstrating the PAF’s commitment to honing its skills.
Further, the United States and the Philippines have strengthened their alliance, especially in light of their shared interests in the South China Sea.
In March 2023, US Air Force F-22s were deployed to the Philippines for the first time, and in May 2023, the two nations revived the Cope Thunder aerial exercise after a 33-year hiatus.
In June this year, the PAF participated in a groundbreaking bilateral exercise. Utilizing intelligence from Air Force drones, four US Marine F-35B Lightning II aircraft dropped seven GBU-32 500-pound guided bombs on targets off the coast of Western Luzon in the South China Sea, showcasing the enhanced capabilities and cooperation between the two air forces.
