Philippines, New Zealand set to sign Status of Visiting Forces Agreement

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines and New Zealand are set to sign a defense agreement that will enable both countries’ armed forces to enhance their cooperative activities and conduct joint exercises in each other’s territories.

The New Zealand embassy announced yesterday that Defense Minister Judith Collins is in Manila from April 28 to May 2 for an official visit and to sign the Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA) with Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro tomorrow.

“It formally sets the legal framework for engagement between our respective militaries, better facilitating ongoing cooperation, activities and exercises in each of our territories,” Collins said in a statement.

The first round of negotiations was hosted by the government in January in Manila, with Department of National Defense Undersecretary Pablo Lorenzo and Ministry of Defense Head of International Relations Kathleen Pearce leading the Philippine and New Zealand delegations, respectively.

The talks marked an important step in strengthening bilateral defense ties between the two countries.

A commitment to conclude a SOVFA was one of the key outcomes of discussions between New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and President Marcos during Luxon’s visit to Manila in April 2024.

The SOVFA will build upon the 2017 Memorandum of Arrangement between the New Zealand Ministry of Defense, the New Zealand Defense Force and the DND and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), formalizing the legal basis for military cooperation.

Air defense training

As the Philippines strengthens its defense ties with New Zealand, it continues to deepen its security relationship with the United States.

The two nations conducted air and missile defense drills on April 27, as part of the ongoing Balikatan exercises between Philippine and American military personnel.

The AFP and the United States Armed Forces staged an Integrated Air and Missile Defense training at the Naval Education, Training and Doctrine Command in Zambales.

The exercise involved the use of the Philippine Air Force’s Spyder Air Defense System and various Ground-Based Air Defense Systems.

Additionally, the US forces demonstrated several counter-unmanned aerial systems technologies designed to detect airspace intrusions and enhance overall force protection for both countries’ units.

The exercise also utilized the Marine Air Defense Integrated System, a US Marine Corps air defense system that detects, tracks, identifies and neutralizes aerial threats such as drones, helicopters and low-flying aircraft.

AFP chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. observed the integration of both forces’ air defense capabilities, noting the improved communication and coordination between the two sides.

The training, witnessed by Philippine Army chief Lt. Gen. Roy Galido, aligns with the Philippine Army’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its air defense capabilities.

Galido recently announced plans to acquire a short-range air defense system that will complement the army’s Land Defense Concept and support the Air Force and Navy in implementing the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept.

As Balikatan 40-2025 continues, it further strengthens the interoperability and readiness of Philippine and US forces, ensuring a robust and coordinated response to emerging security challenges in the region.