The European Union has adopted its first-ever assistance measure under the European Peace Facility for the Philippines, worth €15 million, to strengthen the maritime domain awareness capabilities of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The measure, proposed by High Representative Kaja Kallas and approved by the Council of the European Union, marks the first EPF implementation in the Indo-Pacific region. It aims to improve the Philippine Navy's ability to detect, monitor, and analyse activities within the country's maritime zones, enhance early warning, and support more effective coordination by naval and maritime security forces.
High Representative Kallas and Philippine Secretary of National Defense Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr. reaffirmed the strength of the EU-Philippines partnership during their meeting, exchanging views on geopolitical challenges and ways to deepen security and defence cooperation. They welcomed the positive outcomes of the Security and Defence Dialogue launched in June 2025, which has advanced collaboration on maritime security, cybersecurity, hybrid threats, and foreign information manipulation and interference. Both sides reaffirmed their shared commitment to a resilient, rules-based international order upholding peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
The assistance measure is described by the EEAS as more than an investment in capabilities, but also an investment in the EU-Philippines partnership, mutual trust, regional stability, and a shared commitment to peace and security. The measure directly impacts the Armed Forces of the Philippines, particularly the Philippine Navy, by providing equipment and training for maritime surveillance. It also signals a deepening of EU engagement in the Indo-Pacific, potentially affecting regional security dynamics. The European Peace Facility, an off-budget instrument, has been used primarily for partners in Africa and Ukraine; its extension to the Philippines represents a significant geographic expansion. No further implementation timeline or specific equipment details were provided in the announcement.