Philippine-German defense cooperation: Into a new era

On May 14, 2025, the Secretary of National Defense of the Republic of the Philippines, H.E. Gilberto Teodoro Jr., and German Federal Minister of Defense Boris Pistorius signed the Philippine-German Arrangement on Defense Cooperation in Berlin.

The signing took place in the margins of the Ministerial Peacekeeping Conference organized by the German government and the United Nations in Berlin, hosted by Germany’s new Federal Foreign Affairs Minister Johann Wadephul and the Defense Minister. More than 130 countries were represented, underlining an obvious truth: no nation can achieve peace and security on its own, but only through partners and strong multilateral institutions.

That is why Germany and the Philippines signed the bilateral defense cooperation arrangement, opening the door to a new era of defense cooperation: it is the logical consequence of the global policy and security situation and the vibrant dynamics of Philippine-German relations.

Russia’s attack on Ukraine demonstrated that peace and respect for the rules-based international order cannot be taken for granted. Tensions in the South China Sea prove that we can no longer assume the rules-based international order guiding the behavior of all nations. Military power and its use seem to become more and more an option for some in this world – this is not what Germany and the Philippines stand for.

Germany’s decision to deepen defense cooperation with the Philippines is not accidental – it is strategic, timely and based on a convergence of interests, values and regional dynamics.

The Philippines is at the heart of the Indo-Pacific, one of the most dynamic yet contested regions in the world. Its geographical location along critical sea lanes makes it a key player in ensuring freedom of navigation, maritime security and thereby the rules-based international order.

For Germany, whose economy depends heavily on global trade and open sea lanes, contributing to ensuring stability in this region is not only a matter of principles – it is a matter of national interest.

The Philippines has consistently shown a strong commitment to international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Germany, as a strong advocate of multilateralism and legal norms in international relations, appreciates the Philippines’ role as a strong and reliable partner.

Germany’s defense policy under the 2023 Defense Policy Guidelines includes a focus on capacity-building, crisis prevention and security partnerships. The Philippines, given its willingness to modernize its armed forces and strengthen its maritime domain awareness in order to contribute to security and stability in the region, can serve as a beacon where German support can make a concrete and strategic impact.

Germany is not aiming to project power unilaterally – this would not be in line with our political philosophy – but we are looking to build resilient, sovereign partnerships. The Philippines aligns with this philosophy.

As the Philippines and Germany celebrated 70 years of diplomatic relations in 2024 – highlighted by the visit of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to Germany in March, and the visits of then Federal Foreign Minister Baerbock to Manila in January and Federal Defense Minister Pistorius in August – both sides reaffirmed their mutual commitment to peace and stability in the region, as well as to a relationship built on trust and mutual respect. During the visit of Defense Minister Pistorius in Manila in August 2024, both sides agreed to sign a defense cooperation arrangement. Only nine months later, the arrangement was signed.

In 2024, the first Philippine officers were already joining courses and training programs in Germany as part of our capacity building efforts. And there will be more in the years ahead.

In September 2024, as part of Indo-Pacific Deployment 2024 (IPD24), a German Navy task group, the frigate Baden Wuerttemberg and the supply ship Frankfurt am Main, made a three-day port call in Manila after sailing through the Taiwan Strait.

Germany is also proud that in the spirit of our increasing cooperation, just some weeks ago for the second time an observer of the German army was able to participate in the Balikatan exercise – after the successful first ever observer participation in 2024.

Germany’s expanding partnership with the Philippines sends a powerful message: Germany is demonstrating its firm commitment to the Indo-Pacific. This is not only a signal of support to the Philippines, but also to other ASEAN nations navigating national interests amid strategic pressures in a complex regional landscape.

We will increase our technical cooperation between all services of the armed forces, including cyber security, the training of military and civilian members of military forces, as well as capacity building and cooperation on UN peacekeeping operation and in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

Visits of all branches of our armed forces, as well as regular staff talks on security and defense policy, will be reinforced, know-how and technology transfer for capability improvement will increase.

We should see this cooperation as the beginning of a new chapter rather than the peak of 70 years of partnership. The German-Philippine defense relationship represents a model for responsible international cooperation in a more and more unpredictable world.

I am very optimistic that, given the level of trust between our governments and the shared analysis of the current global challenges, our cooperation will bear fruits and contribute to an even more fruitful partnership in the future, helping to safeguard the rules-based international order and the political interests of both our countries.

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Andreas Pfaffernoschke is the Ambassador of Germany to the Philippines.