France Eyes Subic Bay as Key Pacific Naval Hub

Naval Group Identifies Philippine Base as Ideal for Aircraft Carrier Support

The French Navy has pinpointed Subic Bay in the Philippines as a premier location for supporting its carrier strike group’s operations across the Indo-Pacific. This strategic assessment stems from the recent ‘Clemenceau 25’ mission, which explored new logistical avenues for France’s expanding regional presence.

Subic Bay Offers Unmatched Logistical Potential

During its regional deployment, the French Carrier Strike Group (CSG) evaluated several ports. Subic Bay emerged as the most promising for facilitating the operations of its nuclear aircraft carrier and the new Jacques Chevallier-class (BRF) supply vessels. These advanced support ships, measuring 193 meters and displacing 31,000 tonnes fully loaded, require robust port facilities.

Port Calls Highlight Regional Strategy

The mission included port visits to Okinawa, Darwin, Lombok, and Subic Bay. Okinawa was accessible only to the BRF and a FREMM frigate, as Japan maintains restrictions on nuclear-powered carriers. “There was little doubt that Okinawa was a suitable harbor for the BRF. Equally important, American and Japanese ships are stationed there,” noted a French Navy commander.

Darwin, Australia, presented navigational challenges. “Darwin is not an easy harbour to manoeuvre in, especially for large vessels. The access is difficult. It’s feasible, but not ideal,” an officer commented.

The aircraft carrier’s inaugural visit to Lombok, Indonesia, was a diplomatic milestone. Despite its strategic location, the port lacks essential infrastructure. “Lombok is a paradise island for sure, but it sorely lacks the port infrastructure and industrial fabric to support an aircraft carrier,” an Admiral stated.

Subic Bay’s Strategic Advantages Recognized

Subic Bay, a former major U.S. naval base, impressed French naval leadership. The Admiral described it as an “ideal location” with sufficient depth and the necessary infrastructure for carrier support. The base, comparable in size to Singapore, was vacated by U.S. forces in 1992.

Reactivated by local entities and the Philippine Navy, Subic Bay has seen increased foreign naval interest amid South China Sea tensions. “The environment is favorable to host an aircraft carrier. Depth is here and most of all, we found all infrastructures and industrial landscape necessary for potential support,” the Admiral added.

Subic hosts shipyards, including the Subic Bay Drydock Corporation, which holds a Master Ship Repair Agreement with the U.S. Navy, attesting to its maintenance and repair capabilities.

Deepening Franco-Philippine Defense Ties

This evaluation of Subic Bay occurs alongside growing defense cooperation between France and the Philippines. In 2023, officials from both nations formalized plans for enhanced collaboration. France has since participated in multilateral drills and offered military modernization support, including submarines and patrol vessels.

Prior to docking at Subic Bay, the CSG conducted France’s first joint patrol with Philippine forces in the South China Sea. RADM. Jacques Mallard, commander of the French carrier strike group, remarked, “We are mostly here because there is a free and open area to sail in. And we are here basically to use this right of common space to make sure that this space stays common.”

France’s strategic focus on the Indo-Pacific aligns with broader geopolitical shifts. In 2023, combined military spending by the top 50 countries reached an estimated $2.2 trillion, underscoring the global emphasis on naval power and regional security (Statista, 2024).