Recent reports show that Japan and the Philippines have reached a consensus to export six retired Abukuma-class escort ships to the Philippines. This move aims to enhance the interoperability of the Philippine military and strengthen its deterrence and response capabilities against China’s maritime expansion.
According to sources quoted by the Yomiuri Shimbun, Japanese Defense Minister Moto Tanigawa and Philippine Defense Minister Gilberto Teodoro Jr. reached an agreement on the export of the ex-Japanese escort ships during a meeting in Singapore in early June. If this plan materializes, it will be Japan’s first export of warships with destroyer-class capabilities, holding significant strategic importance.
The Abukuma-class escort ships primarily focus on anti-submarine operations and have been in service for over 30 years. With Japan’s introduction of more advanced naval vessels, these ships are gradually being retired. It is expected that this summer, representatives from the Philippines will visit Japan to inspect the main guns, equipment, and maintenance conditions of the ships as part of the final evaluation process.
Under the “Three Principles on Defense Equipment Transfer,” Japan is only allowed to export non-lethal equipment in categories such as rescue, transport, surveillance, and mine clearance. Weapons of high attack capabilities like destroyers are generally not allowed for export. However, Japan plans to upgrade the weapons and communication systems of the escort ships to meet the needs of the Philippines and promote the export under the guise of “joint development” to comply with regulations. There are also considerations to expand this cooperation to include newer escort ships in the future.
The Philippines is actively modernizing its navy to counter China’s military actions in the South China Sea. According to reports from the Philippine GMA News Network, the Philippines has purchased missiles and light patrol frigates from South Korea, introduced fast missile boats from Israel, and is also receiving donated ships from countries like the United States and the United Kingdom to build a diverse mixed fleet.
The security cooperation between Japan and the Philippines is steadily deepening. In December 2024, the Philippine Senate approved the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA), allowing the deployment and joint training of forces from both sides, marking the first time Japan has signed such an agreement with an Asian country. In April of this year, the two countries also initiated negotiations for the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) to further strengthen logistic support and military cooperation.
The Philippines has territorial disputes with China in the South China Sea, while Japan faces pressure from China’s maritime expansion in the East China Sea. If the Philippine military is able to deploy the escort ships developed by Japan and leverage the bilateral agreements mentioned above, the joint response capabilities of both sides will be significantly enhanced.
Minister Tanigawa stated in Manila in February of this year, “The security environment we are facing is increasingly severe. As strategic partners, it is necessary for Japan and the Philippines to further strengthen defense cooperation to collectively uphold peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.”
The Abukuma-class escort ships have a length of 109 meters, a standard displacement of 2,000 tons, a crew of approximately 120 people, and are equipped with anti-submarine and anti-ship missiles, but do not have helicopter-carrying capabilities. They are well-suited for nearshore patrol and surveillance missions. Between 1989 and 1993, a total of six ships were built and subsequently served in the Maritime Self-Defense Force.
Translated and rewritten by Anonymous