Balikatan 2024 starts with the first French participation

The French Navy is in the Philippines to participate in joint maritime activities between Manila, Paris and Washington in the South China Sea during Balikatan 2024.

The 39th edition of the exercise started today. It lasts three weeks and takes place in Palawan and Batanes, close to Taiwan and the South China Sea. Balikatan 2024 will also have observers from 14 countries: Brunei, Canada, France, Germany, Britain, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam.

Balikatan: a first for the French Navy

French Ambassador to the Philippines, Marie Fontanelreceived the frigate FS of the Floréal class Vendémiaire (F734) in the westernmost Philippine province of Palawan in Puerto Princesa over the weekend. While the Philippine Army confirmed France’s participation in the 39th edition of Balikatan two months agothat was only recently confirmed Vendémiaire would be the French participant.

France’s participation marks the first time France has participated in the Balikatan series of exercises, the largest annual exercise between the U.S. and Philippine militaries. In this year’s edition, France will sail alongside the US Navy, the Philippine Navy and the Philippine Coast Guard “Multilateral maritime exercise in the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines,” said a press release from the US Embassy in Manila.

Although the location of the exercises has not yet been determined, many of Balikatan 2024’s activities will take place near the South China Sea, including an island recapture operation. the creation of an anti-entry/area denial networkand a sinking-a-ship exercise. At least eleven other Philippine and American ships will participate in the exercise, including BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151), BRP Davao del Sur (LD-602) and BRP Ramón Alcaraz (PS-16). Philippine officials also confirmed the presence of several unidentified vessels, including at least six from the Philippine Coast Guard and two from the US Navy, during the activities.

“The Vendémiaire action will fall within the domains of maritime security and HADR (humanitarian aid and disaster relief: assistance to the population in the event of a natural disaster),” the French Indo-Pacific Command stated on the frigate’s planned exercises during Balikatan. The command further explained Vendémiaire would deploy the embarked helicopter and conduct awareness activities in the maritime domain.

Following these activities Vendémiaire The exercise is planned to be abandoned before completion, with the French Indo-Pacific Command stating that the frigate “will leave the exercise on May 4 before reaching the high-intensity phase.”

The modestly equipped warship, based in Nouméa, New Caledonia, has been conducting patrol and surveillance missions around France’s Indo-Pacific territories since the 1990s. Among other frigates of the class, Vendémiaire conducts various maritime security services, humanitarian/disaster relief and goodwill exchanges with partner navies throughout the region. Last March, sister ship FS Prairie (F731) performed a joint sailing trip with BRP Capones (MRRV-4404) near Luzon.

France and the Philippines have pledged to strengthen their defense and security ties amid escalating tensions between Manila and Beijing in the South China Sea. As China’s coast guard and maritime militia have stepped up their aggressive actions against Philippine vessels, Manila has looked to international partners to bolster its defensive capabilities. While these efforts do not appear to have deterred Chinese actions so far, many countries, including France, have intensified their cooperation with the Philippines.

In December, the French Defense Minister visited the Philippines and initiated discussions on a possible status of visiting forces agreement, which would allow French forces to hold military exercises and more comprehensive activities on Philippine territory. Separate discussions were also held on exploring enhanced military-to-military cooperation and joint defense industrial development.

Paris has also expressed interest in conducting joint patrols with Philippine forces, an activity that would indicate support for Manila’s fight in the South China Sea.