Fighter aircraft from the Philippines and France soar side by side, with the French Navy aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle in the background during the maritime cooperative activity on Wednesday (Feb. 21, 2025). Military public affairs office chief Col. Xerxes Trinidad said the activity marks the AFP’s third consecutive week of joint maritime activities in the West Philippine Sea, within the joint operational area of Northern Luzon Command. (Photo courtesy of the Philippine Air Force’s 5th Fighter Wing)
On Friday night, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) announced that it had successfully completed a maritime cooperative activity (MCA) with the French Navy’s Charles de Gaulle carrier strike group.
According to Col. Xerxes Trinidad, head of the AFP’s military public affairs office, this exercise marks the third consecutive week of joint maritime operations in the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea), conducted under the Northern Luzon Command’s jurisdiction.
For this exercise, the AFP deployed a robust array of assets, including the missile frigate BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150), the offshore patrol vessel BRP Gregorio del Pilar (PS-15), a C-90 patrol aircraft, two FA-50PH light jet fighters, and specialized search-and-rescue units from the Philippine Air Force.
On the French side, the participating vessels included the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle (R-91), the Aquitaine-class frigate Provence (D-652), the force supply vessel Jacques Chevallier (A-725), the Horizon-class air defense destroyer Forbin (D-620), and another Aquitaine-class frigate, Alsace (D-656).
Col. Trinidad explained that the collaborative drills were designed to enhance interoperability, communication, and overall defense readiness. The series of exercises featured activities such as communications checks (COMMEX), division tactics and officer of the watch maneuvers (DIVTACS/OOW), photo exercises (PHOTOEX), replenishment at sea, personnel exchanges via rigid hull inflatable boats, anti-submarine warfare drills, and dissimilar aircraft combat training.
These recurring joint maritime activities with like-minded nations underscore an increasing international emphasis on maritime security in the West Philippine Sea, while simultaneously strengthening the defense capabilities and interoperability of allied forces.
AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. emphasized the strategic importance of these efforts, stating, “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.”
