Catherine Vautrin

Force in Play

Signed SOVFA on behalf of France

For decades, security in the western Pacific ran through Washington. Countries struck bilateral deals with the United States and, mostly, with no one else. That model is dissolving. On March 27, the Philippines and France signed a Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA) in Paris — the Philippines' first such pact with a European partner — giving each country's troops a legal basis to train and operate on the other's soil. France now joins the United States, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and Canada on a growing list of nations with military access arrangements in the Philippines, four of which were signed in under two years.

Updated Mar 27

Force in Play

Managing operational details of France's defensive deployment

For 23 days since February 28, 2026, the United States and Israel have conducted bombing campaigns against Iran under Operations Epic Fury and Roaring Lion, prompting Iranian retaliation against US bases and strikes on NATO-linked sites including French bases in Abu Dhabi, RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, and a missile over Turkey. France authorized US support aircraft at Istres air base on March 5 with strict limits, but on March 16 European NATO allies rejected President Trump's demands for military assistance to reopen the Iranian-blocked Strait of Hormuz, prompting Trump to blast the alliance as making a 'very foolish mistake' and declare the US needs no one's help.

Updated Mar 22

Money Moves

Making first India visit as Defense Minister

India has depended on Russia for weapons since the Cold War. That dependence peaked at 76% of arms imports in 2009-2013 but has now fallen to 36%—while France has surged to become India's second-largest supplier, accounting for 33% of defense purchases. On February 17, 2026, the two countries signed an agreement to manufacture HAMMER precision-guided missiles in India, marking a shift from France selling finished weapons to both nations building them together.

Updated Feb 17