CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City -- The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the French Armed Forces have just concluded the bilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA) which aimed to enhance interoperability between both forces for maritime security and improved maritime domain awareness in Philippine waters on November 28.
The activity was held in the southern portion of Eastern Mindanao, a strategic maritime area vital to the country’s security and economic interests. As part of the exercise, the AFP has committed a combination of naval and air assets, including the BRP Artemio Ricarte (PS-37), a C-208B aircraft, a Black Hawk helicopter, and three FA-50 fighter jets. These platforms operated alongside French assets, including a frigate and a helicopter, deployed to support the joint activity.
The MCA features a series of naval events designed to improve tactical coordination and operational compatibility between both forces. These include Division Tactical Maneuvers (DIVTACS) and Officer-of-the-Watch (OOW) drills, which test navigation, formation changes, and command execution at sea. The activity also includes a Replenishment-at-Sea (RAS) Approach, a skill-intensive maneuver essential for sustaining naval operations over long durations.
Defense cooperation between the Philippines and France has grown steadily in recent years, and this MCA marks another milestone in their strategic engagement. Both nations emphasize that collaborative activities such as this demonstrate a shared commitment to upholding maritime security, strengthening partnerships, and fostering a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific region.
The joint activity is expected to further bolster mutual trust, operational familiarity, and maritime cooperation between the two countries as they continue working together for regional stability.
Photos by: PIO - Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao
