The Charles De Gaulle Carrier Strike Group joined the maiden Philippine-French joint patrol in the South China Sea in one of the largest bilateral drills between the two nations to date.
The Charles De Gaulle Carrier Strike Group drilled with Philippine naval and air forces in Manila’s exclusive economic zone today, marking the first SCS joint patrol between Manila and Paris in the disputed waters.
French Navy flagship FS Charles De Gaulle (R91), the world’s only nuclear aircraft carrier outside the United States Navy, and its escorts joined Philippine Navy flagship frigate BRP Jose Rizal off Western Luzon for a maritime cooperative activity. This is Manila’s third activity with allies and partners in the last three weeks, which included warships and aircraft from the United States, Japan, Australia, and Canada for SCS joint patrols since the beginning of February. These activities come amid a recent aerial incident with China at Scarborough Shoal, a disputed maritime feature off Western Luzon, where the drills were held.
Charles De Gaulle CSG participants included FS Provence (D652), FS Forbin (D620), FS Alsace (D656), and FS Jacques Chevallier (A725). In addition to Jose Rizal, Philippine forces also deployed BRP Gregorio del Pilar. Rafale and FA-50PH fighter jets were also deployed alongside helicopters and patrol aircraft. The exercise focused on aerial and anti-submarine warfare.
Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner stated in a press release on the inaugural SCS joint patrol:
“Through joint maritime cooperative activities and collaborative efforts, the AFP seeks to build a stronger, more resilient defense system that is prepared to address the challenges of the modern security landscape,”
This is the second SCS joint patrol to include a CSG, the first occurring in January with the U.S. Navy’s Carl Vinson CSG. Manila has highlighted these activities as a deterrence measure against adversaries attempting to infringe on its sovereignty in the SCS. Since 2023, many incidents between Chinese and Philippine forces have occurred around disputed maritime features. During this period, Paris has deepened its defense engagement with Manila through inaugural participation in multilateral military exercises and Coast Guard support.
Described by the French Embassy in the Philippines as an “unprecedented visit,” the Charles De Gaulle Carrier Strike Group will dock in Manila and Subic Bay for goodwill events. The carrier is in the region for the French Navy mission CLEMENCEAU 25, Paris’ flagship Indo-Pacific with regional partners and allies. Prior to its SCS joint patrol with Philippine forces, the CSG joined large-scale training exercises with Indonesian, American, and Japanese forces.
“The successive conduct of MCA with other like-minded nations underscores the growing international focus on maritime security in the West Philippine Sea and aims to strengthen interoperability and defense capabilities among ally and partner nations,” stated an Armed Forces of the Philippine release.
