Is the new Philippines-Germany defence pact built to last?

The Philippines and Germany have entered a new chapter in their bilateral relations this year, placing special emphasis on tightening security and defence ties.\nIn May, Manila and Berlin committed themselves to advancing their security partnership by signing an agreement on defence cooperation. The deal increases collaboration between their military and defence establishments in logistics, cybersecurity, defensive weaponry and UN peacekeeping. It builds on a 1974 agreement that enabled the training of Philippine military personnel in Germany.\nThe new deal sets the stage for closer collaboration on maritime domain awareness, intelligence sharing and crisis-response logistics. It signals a shared understanding that security challenges in the Indo-Pacific and Europe are increasingly interconnected and demand cross-regional solutions.\nThis development comes on the heels of the 70th anniversary of Philippines-Germany diplomatic relations last year. That milestone saw German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius make a historic visit to Manila – the first by a German defence chief – during which he and Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jnr announced plans for a bilateral defence cooperation arrangement.\nIn the same year, Germany was invited to observe the Philippines’ largest military drills for the first time, while two German navy vessels made a port call in Manila – Germany’s first in more than two decades – during their Indo-Pacific deployment.\n\nThough geographically distant, the volatile global environment has brought the Philippines and Germany closer in outlook, particularly on security issues and their assessments of major powers such as China and Russia. Both now recognise a growing alignment of strategic interests.\nChina’s increasingly assertive actions in the South China Sea – from its naval and coastguard operations to its sweeping territorial claims – directly challenge Philippine sovereignty. Beijing’s refusal to comply with a 2016 arbitration ruling and its selective interpretation of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, or Unclos, continue to heighten tensions. Although Manila won that landmark legal case, it remains constrained in enforcing the ruling.\nGermany, as the world’s third-largest economy and the Philippines’ biggest trading partner in the European Union, is increasingly attuned to how China’s coercive behaviour endangers global trade routes, Indo-Pacific stability and the security of the Taiwan Strait. Nearly 40 per cent of Germany’s non-EU foreign trade is tied to the Indo-Pacific region.\nIn Europe, Germany sees Russia as the foremost security threat. Long before Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the Kremlin had waged a hybrid war against the West through intelligence operations, cyberattacks, sabotage and disinformation campaigns. The Philippines also views Russia’s growing geopolitical footprint with concern, especially its war in Ukraine and its deepening strategic alignment with China, both of which reverberate through the regional security environment.\n\nThe deepening alignment between Beijing and Moscow, whose activities challenge international norms and regional balances, intensifies the threat environment in both Europe and the Indo-Pacific. These countries will continue to test how far they can push their aggression, so the more countries like Germany and the Philippines share ideas, the more prepared they both are.\nAs a staunch advocate of multilateralism and international law, Germany sees the Philippines as a natural partner that shares these values, particularly in confronting maritime security challenges. The Philippines, for its part, has been broadening its defence network beyond traditional allies in response to China’s growing assertiveness. The new defence cooperation agreement thus reflects a mutual resolve to deepen and diversify their strategic partnership.\nSince its signing, quiet but meaningful progress has been made – including talks on another potential defence-related accord. Such steps signal rising trust, confidence and a shared commitment to peace and stability. The imminent posting of a German defence attaché in Manila is yet another sign of Berlin’s intention to work more closely with the Philippines.\nGermany can play an important role in boosting the Philippines’ defence capabilities through training, modernisation help and capacity-building programmes. Manila can, in turn, draw valuable lessons from Berlin’s experience in countering disinformation and foreign malign influence.\nThe two countries could also explore ways to safeguard critical infrastructure, particularly in the cyber and maritime domains, including undersea communication cables. They also stand to benefit from learning about each other’s experiences – whether in dealing with disinformation, foreign interference or military matters.\n\nNext year, as the Philippines assumes the Asean chairmanship, Germany is expected to step up its engagement with the regional bloc. The Asean-Germany Development Partnership will mark its 10th anniversary in 2026, while Germany – along with Turkey – has been officially accepted as an observer in the Asean Defence Ministers’ Meeting for the 2024–2027 period.\nManila also hopes for Berlin’s support in its bid for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council next year. If elected, the Philippines has pledged to champion multilateralism, the peaceful settlement of disputes and respect for international law.\nWith this promising security partnership, Manila and Berlin are helping shape a more stable Indo-Pacific and a more secure Europe. So many “firsts” have already taken place since last year, and many more may follow. The new agreement is proof that both sides currently have the political will to make this relationship meaningful.\nBut sustaining its momentum will be the challenge. Berlin’s engagement in the Indo-Pacific could lose steam if domestic or regional pressures begin to overshadow its outward focus and compel it to redirect its resources and attention back to its immediate neighbourhood.\nFor Manila, the task is to ensure Germany continues to see the strategic value of sustained cooperation – whether in safeguarding supply chains, upholding a rules-based maritime order or expanding partnerships beyond Europe.\nThe two nations should increase institutionalised defence links, bolster economic ties and encourage more frequent high-level communication to protect the partnership from short-lived disruptions. If these efforts succeed, the current collaboration could well develop into a solid, mutually supporting pillar of Indo-Pacific security.\nFrances Mangosing is a Manila-based freelance journalist covering national security and diplomacy. She is a fellow of the Women in Security programme of the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung-Philippines. This article was first published by ISEAS – Yusof Ishak’s commentary website fulcrum.sg.\n