Japan may supply Chu-SAM system to Philippine forces

Japan has begun informal discussions with the Philippines over the possible export of the Ground Self-Defense Force’s Type 03 Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missile system, known as Chu-SAM, as Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s government advances plans to end long-standing restrictions on defense exports.

According to a report by Kyodo News published on November 30, several government sources confirmed that Tokyo and Manila have already exchanged views on the potential deal. The Philippine side has expressed interest in acquiring the missile system for its armed forces.

The talks come as the Takaichi administration prepares to eliminate the current rule that limits Japan’s defense equipment exports to five non-combat purposes: rescue, transport, warning, surveillance, and minesweeping. A formal decision is expected in the first half of 2026.

Once the decision is made, Japan is likely to begin concrete steps toward exporting the Chu-SAM system, the report said. The surface-to-air missile system is currently in service with Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force and is designed to intercept aircraft and cruise missiles.

Kyodo noted that the planned revision would be implemented through Japan’s National Security Council, chaired by Prime Minister Takaichi, without requiring any change in existing legislation. The ruling coalition, formed between the Liberal Democratic Party and the Japan Innovation Party, included the removal of the five-category limit as part of its policy agreement.

The current implementation guidelines, derived from the Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology, explicitly limit defense exports to the five non-lethal categories. The move to allow missile exports would mark a shift in Japan’s postwar defense export policy, with possible pushback from domestic voices concerned about arms proliferation and the erosion of Japan’s pacifist stance.

“There are concerns that the process of easing restrictions and enabling the export of lethal weapons like missiles, without sufficient parliamentary oversight, may proceed unchecked,” Kyodo said.

The report emphasized that the government’s posture toward defense exports has become more assertive under Takaichi. The administration is widely seen as eager to accelerate Japan’s participation in international defense partnerships by enabling the export of more advanced systems.

The Type 03 Chu-SAM, originally developed to protect key military and infrastructure sites from aerial threats, represents one of Japan’s more capable indigenous air defense systems. An upgraded version capable of intercepting ballistic and hypersonic glide vehicles is currently under development.

The Philippines, facing growing regional security challenges in the South China Sea, has expanded defense cooperation with Japan in recent years. Discussions have also included the possible transfer of retired Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyers.

Japan first eased its self-imposed arms export ban in 2014, allowing equipment transfers under strict conditions. More recently, in 2023, it exported domestically produced Patriot missile interceptors to the United States, marking a precedent for exports of completed missile systems.