French Naval Group seeks partnership with Philippines for submarine modernisation

Following the cancellation of the Australian submarine contract, the French Naval Group is turning to new potential customers. This time, the state-owned defence contractor senses an opportunity in the Philippines. The island state has just painstakingly freed itself from America's almost eternal grip. Now, however, with its weak and outdated armed forces, it sees itself exposed as the first island in the face of the aggressive territorial and power claims of the Chinese armed forces and their paramilitary organisations in the South China Sea. However, its own legitimate and internationally recognised territorial claims can only be asserted through a robust maritime presence.

Incomprehensibly, the Philippine Navy tends to want to compensate for its weakness in the surface area by building a hitherto non-existent underwater component. A perfect opportunity for the Naval Group, which has now expressed its willingness to assist in the transformation of Subic Bay into a modern naval base. So that future submarine operations with SCORPÈNES made in France can be carried out from there. Of course, this also includes a complete support system with docks for several submarines and surface vessels, a command centre for the new squadron, logistics depots and a training centre for the submarine crews. The agenda naturally includes partnerships with local industries and the qualification of regional supply chains in order to facilitate the transfer of knowledge and technology for subsequent maintenance work.

The diesel-electric submarine SCORPÈNE was already evaluated by the Philippine Navy in 2019, which is why Paris simply considers itself the preferred partner. A corresponding office has already been opened in Manila. The Philippine armed forces have had big plans for several years: these include the acquisition of six air defence frigates, twelve anti-submarine corvettes, three submarines and other naval assets. A comprehensive spectrum of forces should then allow the Philippines to achieve a credible defence capability. However, the naval component of the national programme alone far exceeds the island nation's financial and technological capabilities. It doesn't help to have Paris talk up the submarines!