Japan will export six decommissioned Abukuma-class escort destroyers to the Philippines in what will be the first such transfer in modern history.
Yomiuri Shimbun reported the move.
The deal follows bilateral agreements aimed at deepening military cooperation and countering China’s growing presence in the South China Sea.
The planned transfer was also confirmed by the defense ministers of Japan and the Philippines during a meeting in Singapore in June 2025.
The six destroyers, which have served with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) for more than 30 years, are being phased out as part of Japan’s fleet modernization program.
The Philippine military is expected to inspect the vessels this summer to assess their condition and explore options for modernization, including potential upgrades to weapons and communication systems.
The Philippine Navy faces a significant capability gap compared to China’s naval forces. According to the International Institute for Strategic Studies, China operates more than 100 warships, while the Philippines has just two frigates.
Abukuma-class destroyers are escort ships designed primarily for anti-submarine warfare and patrol missions. Each ship is approximately 109 meters long, with a displacement of around 2,000 tons and a crew of about 120.
Armament includes torpedoes, Type 90 anti-ship missiles, 76mm OTO Melara naval guns, and Phalanx close-in weapon systems. The vessels do not feature a helicopter deck and are primarily intended for coastal defense and protection of maritime routes.
The class consists of six ships built between 1989 and 1993.
The destroyer transfer coincides with Japan’s broader effort to support Philippine maritime capabilities through the Maritime Safety Capability Improvement Project (MSCIP). Under the third phase of the program, Japan has extended a loan of ¥64.38 billion (about $413 million) to fund the purchase of five new Multi-Role Response Vessels (MRRVs).
These patrol ships will supplement the Philippine Coast Guard’s current fleet, which already includes two MRRVs — BRP Teresa Magbanua and BRP Melchora Aquino — delivered by Japan under earlier MSCIP phases. Built by Mitsubishi Shipbuilding, the vessels are the largest and most modern in the Philippine Coast Guard.
Since 2013, Japan has provided the Philippines with 12 patrol vessels and related equipment under the MSCIP, significantly enhancing Manila’s capacity to safeguard its maritime territory.
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