Japan, Philippines to Set Up Panel for Destroyer Exports

Manila, May 5 (Jiji Press)–Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and Philippine National Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. agreed Tuesday to set up a new bilateral working group to promote defense equipment-related and technological cooperation. The two countries will step up preparations needed for Japanese defense equipment exports to the Philippines, apparently with in mind the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force’s used destroyers, which the Southeast Asian nation is considering purchasing. “We will vigorously discuss details (of the expected destroyer exports), such as the number of ships to be transferred and the timing of shipments, aiming to reach a conclusion at an early time,” Koizumi told reporters after the meeting held in Manila. The Philippines is interested in purchasing the MSDF’s used Abukuma-class destroyers, which are equipped with antisubmarine and antiship missile systems. Once they are exported and go into service, interoperability between Japan’s Self-Defense Forces and the Philippine military is expected to increase, helping improve the two countries’ deterrence and response capabilities. At the meeting with Koizumi, Teodoro welcomed an easing of Japan’s arms export rules last month through revisions of its three principles on defense equipment transfers and their implementation guidelines. At a joint press conference with Koizumi, Teodoro said that the Philippines is really happy to be able to cooperate with Japan to produce tangible results as soon as possible. Koizumi and Teodoro also released a joint statement on promoting cooperation in the fields of defense equipment and related technologies. The defense chiefs discussed the situation in the East China Sea and the South China Sea, where China is increasing its presence, reaffirming their opposition to attempts to unilaterally change the status quo by force or coercion. Earlier on Tuesday, Koizumi paid a courtesy call on Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Japan and the Philippines have been deepening defense cooperation in recent years. The two countries’ reciprocal access agreement, which makes mutual visits by SDF members and Philippine troops easier, took effect in September 2025. In January this year, the Japanese and Philippine governments signed their acquisition and cross-servicing agreement, aimed at facilitating mutual supplies of fuel and ammunition. The Philippines hopes to beef up its response capabilities by procuring the used MSDF destroyers as its naval power is weaker than that of China. The Philippines and China have territorial disputes in the South China Sea. The Philippine military has long been primarily responsible for domestic security while the country had relied on the U.S. military for its defense from external threats. The defense-related budget has been allocated mainly to the Philippine army, with the country’s navy and air force put on the back burner. After U.S. forces withdrew from the Philippines in 1992, China started to increase maritime coercion, such as building structures in the South China Sea. Chinese coast guard ships have repeatedly sprayed water on and rammed into Philippine vessels. To address the situation, the Philippine government has been working to modernize the military. But budget constraints have hindered the efforts. As a result, several frigates are the only main combat ships that the country currently owns. In contrast, China has as many as 94 modern destroyers and frigates in total, according to the Japanese government’s 2025 white paper on defense. A total of six Abukuma-class destroyers, which are 109 meters long, were commissioned between 1989 and 1993. They are expected to help enhance the defense capabilities of the Philippines, which consists of more than 7,600 islands. Used warships are less expensive and can be introduced earlier than newly built ships. Meanwhile, there are concerns about the risk of breakdowns and massive maintenance costs for the Abukuma destroyers as more than 30 years have passed since they were built. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]