France proposed a swap with Manila concerning exploration rights in territorial seas for two submarines to seal the deal last Tuesday. Specifically, two French Scorpene diesel-electric subs could bolster the Philippine Navy's presence in the undersea theatre.
Paris, Manila Eye Significant Changes in the Pacific Region
According to Rappler, a Philippine news website reported the élysée Palace, which offered a defense deal that included NATO standard Scorpene subs if the Philippine Leader Ferdinand 'Bong-Bong' Marcos would allow exploration in Philippine waters.
The swap deal came as the Philippines is at its crossroads to modernize its regional armed forces, reported Anadolu Agency.
One comment by Senior Undersecretary Jose Faustino Jr., the Philippines Defense Officer-in-Charge, is that the proposal needs more ironing out. However, he said such an offer was cumbersome.
Faustino added that changes in the constitution have got to be done, but not easily accomplished. He gave this statement on Friday when he went to Mati City in Davao Oriental province, per PNA.
It is essential to point out that the Philippines shares maritime boundaries with China in the South China Sea, which has persisted as a hotbed of a dispute over the sovereign rights of the seas in the territory.
The US has recently been accused of jeopardizing the region's security as Beijing establishes control over the waters in the Indo-Pacific.
US Worsens Philippine-China Differences
Under the guise of freedom of navigation, Washington and its partners regularly deploy their vessels and aircraft inside the region. Unlike the US and its allies, Paris wants exploration rights in the Philippine territorial seas.
Manila won a dispute at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague in 2016, nullifying China's assertions in the region.
Other than France, the Southeast Asian nation has gotten offers from South Korea, Japan, and others to construct the two submarines as a component of the modernization program of the nation's armed forces.
The Philippines instituted the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Modernization Act in 1995, aiming to help bolster defense against foreign threats. It was amended in 2012 to extend the plan for 15 more years.
These two submarines would be purchased under the third phase of the extended modernization program, which ends in 2028. The Philippines has already deposited with Seoul to acquire six nearshore boats.
France Offers the Philippines Submarine Defense Deal
As stated by its top envoy, France is willing to provide diesel-electric submarines to the Philippines to assist it in reacting to potential conflicts in the Indo-Pacific region, citing Business World.
Michèle Boccoz, the French envoy to the Philippines, declared during a media briefing on Wednesday that Paris is committed to collaborating further closely and establishing stronger strategic partnerships with the Philippines. In the Indo-Pacific, Paris maintains a non-confrontational stance, allowing alliances in specific sectors but participating in rivalry and competition in others.
The French representative emphasized the importance of becoming prepared for potential disputes. She concluded that the preferred method of action is a deterrent, and they require the proper tools for that. The envoy encouraged the Philippines to consider submarine possession as one of its strongest preventative measures.
France made a deal with Manila for two submarines in exchange for exploration rights in Philippine territorial seas, as the South East Asia country is gaining attention.
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