Japan to export escort ships to PH

GMA Network

06-07-2025

The JS Abukuma (DE-229) is the leader of a class of destroyer escorts capable of anti submarine and anti surface warfare. PHOTO: JMSDF WEBSITE
Japan is set to export six warships to the Philippines, according to a report from Japanese media on Sunday.
A translated report from the Yomiuri Shimbun said Tokyo and Manila have agreed to the export of six used Abukuma-class destroyer escorts that were commissioned from 1989 to 1993.
The Yomiuri Shimbun, a major newspaper in Japan, said the information was revealed by 'multiple Japanese government officials.'
'Defense Minister (Gen) Nakatani and Philippine Defense Minister Gilberto Teodoro confirmed the export of the used escort ships during a meeting in Singapore in early June. The exports are expected to consist of six Abukuma class destroyers of the (Japan Maritime Self Defense Force),' the Shimbun article reported.
Classified as general-purpose destroyer escorts employed primarily for anti-submarine warfare (ASW), the 2,550-ton Abukuma class ships have been in service for over 30 years. Due to a shortage of navy personnel, they are being gradually retired and will be replaced by new ships that require fewer crew to operate.
'If the export of these used destroyers is realized, it will be the first such case. The export of the destroyers aim to improve interoperability with the Philippine military and jointly strengthen deterrence and response capabilities against China, which is unilaterally advancing into the ocean,' the publication said.
According to the Shimbun's sources, 'the Philippine military is scheduled to inspect the Abukuma class destroyer escorts this summer to check its main guns and other equipment, as well as its maintenance status, and to make final preparations for the export.'
The Philippine Navy is currently modernizing its fleet, purchasing its first guided missile frigates and corvettes from South Korea as well as obtaining fast missile patrol boats from Israel, which will operate with a mixture of aging ships bought or donated from the United States and the United Kingdom.
Such a move will add to the PN's complement of ships, especially in the face of growing Chinese military presence in the South China Sea and the West Philippine Sea.
The same report said that according to the Military Balance 2025 edition by the UK's International Institute for Strategic Studies, the Chinese military possesses 102 surface combatants such as destroyers, while the Philippines has only two frigates.
The report cited that Japan's operational guidelines for the Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment, equipment that can be exported is limited to five types: rescue, transport, alert, surveillance, and minesweeping. Destroyers with high offensive capabilities cannot be exported as is, so a possible way for an exemption is to modify the ships' weapon systems to Philippine requirements or if the said systems are jointly developed with another country.
This development coincides with Japan and the Philippines reinforcing a security cooperation.
Last month, Japan's Diet ratified a key defense pact allowing the deployment of Japanese forces for joint drills with Filipino troops in the Philippines.
In April, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Philippine President Bongbong Marcos jointly announced the formation of two pivotal agreements —the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) and a Security of Information Agreement.