Abu dhabi: The Department of National Defense (DND) on Friday announced a newly signed memorandum of understanding (MOU) on defense cooperation with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), aimed at strengthening security ties with friendly nations and addressing matters of mutual interest. "The DND continues to work with like-minded partners in pursuit of regional and global peace, stability and prosperity," DND spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arsenio Andolong stated in a message to the media. This agreement marks the first formal defense pact between the Philippines and a Gulf country.
According to Philippines News Agency, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. witnessed the signing of the MOU during his working visit to Abu Dhabi from January 12 to 14. The agreement aims to deepen cooperation on advanced defense technologies and serves as a platform for collaboration on unmanned aerial systems, electronic warfare, and naval systems, aligning with the modernization efforts of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Andolong noted that the MOU would enhance defense and military relations through education and training, intelligence and security sharing, and cooperation in fields such as anti-terrorism, maritime security, and peacekeeping operations.
In a related development, the DND highlighted the recently signed deals between the Philippines and Japan, focusing on mutual logistics support and security agreements. The DND referred to the January 15 signing in Manila of the Reciprocal Provision of Supplies and Services, also known as the "Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement" (ACSA), and the exchange of notes on Official Security Assistance (OSA) for Japan's fiscal year 2025. These agreements underscore the growing level of strategic trust between the Philippines and Japan as longstanding partners.
The signing of these agreements coincides with the 70th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between the two countries, emphasizing the steady evolution of Philippines-Japan relations and their shared determination to deepen cooperation in the future. The ACSA establishes a legal framework to facilitate the reciprocal provision of supplies and services between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Japan Self-Defense Forces. The agreement aims to enhance military interoperability and readiness, enabling more efficient joint exercises, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief operations, peacekeeping activities, and other mutually agreed engagements.
The DND added that ACSA would complement existing bilateral defense arrangements and contribute to deeper practical cooperation between the two countries. Similarly, Japan confirmed the provision of OSA for fiscal year 2025, supporting the modernization and capacity-building efforts of the Philippine defense sector. This assistance includes infrastructure support under Japan's OSA framework, reinforcing the Philippines' ability to enhance maritime security and operational effectiveness.
"Both sides underscored that the signing of the ACSA and the OSA for FY 2025 reflects their shared commitment to strengthening defense cooperation, promoting regional peace and stability, and upholding a rules-based international order," the DND stated.
