Manila, March 23 -- The Philippines and France are expected to deepen their security ties as ranking defense leaders of the two nations will meet on the sidelines of the 2026 Paris Defence and Strategy Forum (PDSF) this week.

Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. is expected to meet with his counterpart, French Minister of the Armed Forces Catherine Vautrin, at the event set from March 24 to 26, Defense spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arsenio Andolong said in a statement on Monday.

Andolong said Manila and Paris will further deepen their "bilateral partnership and cross-regional convergence" during this meeting.

France is among the growing number of partners that share the Philippines' commitment to prote...