The Department of National Defense (DND) is set to deepen its security ties with France as Manila pushes its first-ever defense agreement with a European partner during a high-level forum in Paris.

DND Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr. will meet with French Armed Forces Minister Catherine Vautrin on the sidelines of the Paris Defence and Strategy Forum (PDSF) from March 24 to 26.

Organized by the Defence Academy of the École militaire (ACADEM) of France, the PDSF is a major international forum that “provides a valuable avenue for dialogue among states, institutions, militaries, researchers, and civilian stakeholders on regional and global strategic and geopolitical issues.”

“The Philippines and France will further deepen their bilateral partnership and cross-regional convergence,” the DND said in a statement on Monday, March 23, pointing to growing alignment between the two countries.

According to the defense department, France has emerged as one of Manila’s key partners outside its traditional allies.

“France is among the growing number of partners that share the Philippines’ commitment to protect the rules-based order, and advance security and stability in the Indo-Pacific and beyond,” it said.

Teodoro and Vautrin’s meeting will happen after both countries concluded formal negotiations for a Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA) in December last year.

The agreement, which mirrors similar deals that Manila holds with the United States, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and Canada, will be the Philippines’ first such pact with a European state.

The agreement will allow foreign troops to train and operate temporarily on Philippine soil under defined legal rules.

“The SOVFA, upon entry into force, will provide the legal framework to govern the presence and activities of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and the French Armed Forces in each other's territories,” the DND said.

It added that the deal will allow “the conduct of more effective military training and engagements among partner nations.”

Upon invitation from Vautrin, Teodoro will also deliver a keynote speech on “Conflicts and Competitions” on the second day of the PDSF, before security and strategy leaders from around the world.

Teodoro’s participation marks the first time that a defense minister from Southeast Asia is attending and contributing to the PDSF, the DND said.

The DND has been expanding its network of security partners, including France, to build a credible deterrence against China’s growing presence in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

In fact, France has joined in a number of maritime cooperative activities (MCAs) in the WPS.

In February 2025, the AFP and French Navy conducted a joint off Northern Luzon and carried out drills to improve interoperability, communication, and defense capabilities.

France deployed the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle (R91) along with several warships while the AFP sent BRP Jose Rizal, BRP Gregorio del Pilar, FA-50 jets, a C-90 aircraft, and search-and-rescue units.

In November of same year, French surveillance frigate FS Prairial (F-731) also participated in maritime drills with the AFP in the southern portion of Eastern Mindanao.

French troops have also joined in the Balikatan Exercises in the past, and is set to replicate the efforts during this year’s iteration of the drills between the AFP and US military through the reported deployment of Mistral-class landing helicopter dock (LHD) FS Dixmude (L9015) and the La Fayette-class frigate FS Aconit (F 713).