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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PH Navy to inspect Japanese destroyer escorts ahead of possible transfer

PH Navy to inspect Japanese destroyer escorts ahead of possible transfer

Published Jul 7, 2025 11:21 am  |  Updated Jul 7, 2025 03:42 pm
An Abukuma-class destroyer escort of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (File photo: JMSDF website)
An Abukuma-class destroyer escort of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (File photo: JMSDF website)
The Philippine Navy (PN) is set to evaluate navy destroyers from Japan which will reportedly be transferred as part of deepening defense ties between the two nations.
Captain John Percie Alcos, PN spokesperson, said the Navy has undertaken preparatory steps for a Joint Visual Inspection (JVI) of the Abukuma-class destroyer escorts from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) following an invitation from the Japan Ministry of Defense.
“This planned inspection forms part of exploratory discussions on the possible transfer of these naval assets to the Philippines,” he said.
Japanese newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun reported that Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani and Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. agreed to the planned export of the navy destroyer escorts during a meeting on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore in June.
The discussion reportedly included the transfer of six 2,550-ton Abukuma-class destroyer escorts that have been in service with the JMSDF for 30 years and are being replaced with the Mogami-class frigates.
The said destroyer escorts are known for their reliability and versatility, and designed for anti-submarine and anti-ship warfare.
Alcos said this aligns with the Navy’s operational requirements in protecting the country’s maritime domains.
He said a delegation of naval experts from the PN will be dispatched to conduct an in-depth assessment of the ships.
He stressed that the outcome of the inspection will guide further deliberations on the potential acquisition of the PN and its alignment with the Navy’s modernization efforts.
“This initiative reflects the deepening strategic partnership between the Philippines and Japan and reinforces the shared commitment to maritime security, interoperability, and regional peace and stability,” Alcos mentioned.
The development came as the Philippines and Japan ratified the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA), a defense pact that allows both countries to send military forces and equipment to each other’s territory for joint exercises.
Manila and Tokyo have elevated their defense and military partnerships amid shared concerns with China’s aggression in the West Philippine Sea and East China Sea.
Moreover, Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Endo Kazuya also visited a Philippine Air Force (PAF) air surveillance radar site in the southern Philippines last month. The site is the second location for the advanced surveillance radar system transferred by Japan to the Philippines.
Endo was briefed on the various tests currently underway in preparation for the radar’s operational launch.
The radar is expected to significantly improve the surveillance capabilities of the airspace around the Philippines and further strengthen the enduring and unwavering defense partnership between Japan and the Philippines.

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PH-Japan Philippine Navy Abukuma-class destroyer escorts WPS RAA
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