Manila: The United Kingdom (UK) is interested in having a defense deal with the Philippines that would enhance operational collaboration between the two countries’ armed forces.
According to Philippines News Agency, UK Minister of State for Defense in the House of Lords, Lord Vernon Coaker, expressed this interest during his meeting with Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. at Camp Aguinaldo.
“During the call, Lord Coaker presented Secretary Teodoro with a letter from The Rt Hon John Healey MP, the UK Secretary of State for Defence, conveying their intent to enter into a SOVFA with the Philippines,” the DND said. SOVFA, which stands for Status of Visiting Forces Agreement, involves a bilateral visiting forces agreement between two governments concerning the status of armed forces from each state while in the territory of the other.
Teodoro expressed gratitude for the UK’s interest, noting it reflects a growing convergence between Europe and the Indo-Pacific in maintaining the rules-based international order. “As a way forward, they agreed to undertake their respective internal processes and commence formal negotiations for the proposed SOVFA, which will enhance operational collaboration and interoperability between the Philippine and British Armed Forces,” the DND stated.
The meeting also included discussions on regional security issues, including developments in the South China Sea, military educational exchanges, and defense industry cooperation. It concluded with a commitment to strengthen the defense partnership between the Philippines and the UK in support of regional and global stability.
“Secretary Teodoro and Lord Coaker previously met on the sidelines of the 22nd IISS Shangri-la Dialogue in Singapore, earlier in May this year,” the DND remarked. Coaker’s visit to Manila coincided with the port visit of the UK Royal Navy’s HMS Richmond (F-239) as part of Operation Highmast, the UK Carrier Strike Group’s deployment to the Indo-Pacific.