The Philippines and Germany have agreed to sign a defence cooperation deal this year, strengthening the Indo-Pacific region’s international rules-based system. During the first visit of a German defence minister to Manila, Boris Pistorius and his Philippine counterpart, Gilberto Teodoro, agreed to create long-term military relations to enhance training and bilateral exchanges, investigate armament cooperation, and pursue cooperative projects.
As the two countries mark 70 years of diplomatic relations, Teodoro emphasised the Philippines’ aim to modernise its military and sees Germany as a prospective supplier of sophisticated capabilities such as command and control systems, and maritime, and aerial defence assets.
The meeting takes place amid rising tensions between China and the Philippines over disputed territories in the South China Sea, where China is accused of ramming Filipino military boats and injuring sailors.
China claims the majority of the South China Sea, which conflicts with the exclusive economic zones of numerous Southeast Asian nations. Pistorius affirmed the 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration verdict that invalidated China’s claims, reiterating his commitment to maintaining maritime borders.
