By Shirin Bhandari | 2025-10-03

The United Kingdom and the Philippines are one step closer to strengthening their defense ties. They have agreed to start negotiations on a proposed Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA).

The deal would signal London's intent to embed itself more firmly in the Indo-Pacific security landscape amid escalating tensions in the South China Sea, according to local media.

China lays claim to more than 80% of the South China Sea and considers Taiwan a breakaway province.

During his visit to Manila on September 16, UK Minister of State for Defense Lord Vernon Coaker presented a letter from UK Defense Secretary John Healey to Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr., initiating discussions on the SOVFA.

Working closely with London

If finalized, the pact will enable the temporary presence of British troops in the Philippines during joint military activities and expand UK-Philippine defense cooperation.

The United Kingdom later this year will join the multinational Sama Sama joint exercise for the fourth time.

"That is the clearest expression that a country might have to support our claim in the West Philippine Sea," Teodoro said of the United Kingdom's intent to formalize defense collaboration.

The announcement coincided with the Manila port visit of the HMS Richmond.

The HMS Richmond is a frigate participating in the UK Carrier Strike Group's eight-month Operation Highmast deployment to the Indo-Pacific. The strike group is engaging 30 countries through exercises and port calls across Asia and beyond.

"The deployment of the UK Carrier Strike Group to the Indo-Pacific reflects the importance of the region to UK security and prosperity," Coaker said on his trip to the Philippines.

"The UK and the Philippines have never been more aligned," Coaker said aboard the HMS Richmond.

The next step on the SOVFA is for Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to authorize formal negotiations.

Teodoro noted "a lot of synergies" with the United Kingdom.

"They are willing to also interconnect their maritime domains with the Indo-Pacific area," he told the Philippine House of Representatives.

"And we hope that we will have a growing number of visiting forces partners because it's the highest expression of support for the Arbitral Award, for our sovereign rights, for our territorial integrity and sovereignty and for the values that we stand for," added Teodoro.

Hiking defense spending

Meanwhile, the DND has proposed a 295.2 billion PHP ($5.1 billion) budget for 2026, with 95% going to the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

The largest percentage increase will go to the navy if approved, a 8.3 billion PHP ($143 million) or 16.4% upgrade from this year's 51 billion PHP ($880 million).

The navy will be receiving eight new frigates soon and needs more shipyard and dockyard facilities, said Teodoro.

"Philippine resilience, per se, on a national defense basis, is essential. ... The smaller the country, the stronger the deterrence," Teodoro told American Chamber of Commerce members in the Philippines on September 17.

China objects

China has repeatedly warned against foreign military presence in the South China Sea, saying it raises tensions and threatens China's sovereign rights.

Chinese naval and air forces tracked the US destroyer Higgins and the HMS Richmond as they transited the Taiwan Strait, Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theater Command spokesperson Shi Yi said September 12.

"The actions of the US and the UK have sent out wrong signals and undermined peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait," said Shi.

Chinese fighter jets conducted "constructive kill" maneuvers around the British frigate and simulated attack runs without live fire, while Chinese warships shadowed the group, including the HMS Prince of Wales, through the Spratly Islands, according to the Times of London.

Expanding web of agreements

Manila has stitched a web of bilateral military agreements as it stands up to much larger China.

The Philippines already maintains pacts with Japan, Australia and New Zealand and expects to sign one with Canada soon.

In May, the US Marine Corps deployed its Navy Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System "ship-killer" to Northern Luzon and Batanes, about 140km from Taiwan.

If finalized, the UK-Philippine SOVFA would make the United Kingdom the second European country, after France, to pursue such an agreement with the archipelago.

"The UK's relationship with the Philippines is strong and continues to flourish. Together we can help shape a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific," Coaker said.