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Japan and Philippines Advance Talks on Destroyer Transfer

Philippine naval experts will conduct a summer inspection of the vessels, finalizing numbers, customization, delivery schedules

Japanese Defence Minister Gen Nakatani arrives at the Naval Station Ernesto Ogbinar, previously known as Wallace Air Station, in San Fernando City, La Union province, Philippines, February 23, 2025. REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez/File Photo
This undated photo provided by Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force shows an Abukuma-class destroyer escort.

Overview

  • Talks remain at an early stage with no formal offer issued as discussions await a joint visual inspection this summer
  • Six Abukuma-class destroyer escorts commissioned between 1989 and 1993 are proposed for transfer under a joint development framework to comply with Japan’s export rules
  • Philippine experts will assess the ships’ anti-submarine and anti-ship systems, crew requirements and maintenance status during the inspection
  • Both countries have ratified a reciprocal access agreement that allows mutual deployments and combined exercises on each other’s territory
  • A potential handover by 2027 aligns with Japan’s decommissioning schedule and supports the Philippines’ naval modernization in response to China’s assertive maritime actions