Japan and the Philippines have agreed to establish a framework for working-level talks regarding the export of used destroyers to the Philippines. This agreement was reached during discussions between Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and his Philippine counterpart Gilberto Teodoro in Manila. Minister Koizumi, currently visiting the Philippines, also met with Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos to discuss the matter.
“As unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion continue to be observed in the surrounding waters of our two countries, enhancing maritime domain awareness capabilities is essential to prevent contingencies and to maintain maritime order based on the rule of law,” Koizumi stated, as reported by Kyodo News. Japan recently revised its principles on the transfer of defence equipment and technology to allow overseas sales of weapons, including those with lethal capabilities, despite facing protests.
Japan is considering exporting the Maritime Self-Defence Force’s Abukuma-class destroyer, equipped with high-performance guns and anti-ship missile systems, as well as its TC-90 training aircraft. The two ministers also agreed to expand defence cooperation, particularly in response to China’s military activities in the East and South China Seas, as both countries share concerns over China’s maritime assertiveness.
“We thank Japan for its review of ‘the three principles on the transfer of defence equipment and technology’ and its implementing guidelines,” Teodoro expressed. “We were very happy to work with Japan in creating demonstrable results at the soonest possible time,” the report added. Additionally, Japan and Australia recently announced the signing of contracts to jointly deliver three ships for the Australian Navy, based on the upgraded Mogami-class frigate of Japan.
