Manila –
Manila is expected to decide in the near future whether to proceed with efforts to acquire used warships from Japan, after Philippine Navy experts returned home following an inspection of the Maritime Self-Defense Force’s Abukuma-class destroyer escorts.
“The joint visual inspection team is now back from their 10-day assessment of the warships in Japan and will pass on their recommendations to Navy Headquarters and then the Department of Defense in Manila,” a senior Philippine government official told The Japan Times, noting a decision is set to be made “over the coming months.”
Tokyo is looking to transfer Abukuma-class vessels to the Philippines as part of broader efforts to boost the defense capabilities of like-minded neighbors amid growing Chinese military assertiveness in the region.
The first of six Abukuma ships — which some refer to as guided-missile frigates — is slated to be retired in 2027. Should the strategic partners agree on a transfer following “exploratory discussions,” it would mark Tokyo’s first export of a used naval warship in decades.
The move would not only substantially deepen military and defense-industrial ties with Manila, it would also open the door to similar transfers of used Self-Defense Forces equipment across the region as Tokyo works to create a “desirable security environment.”
During their recent Japan visit, the Philippine Navy delegation conducted an in-depth assessment of various elements and capabilities of the more than 30-year-old Abukuma vessels, including sensors, communication, weapon and propulsion systems, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity in order to discuss sensitive issues.
They will provide a cost-benefit analysis of the warships and examine aspects such as maintenance and logistics, including whether supply lines for spares and repairs could remain open. Additionally, they will assess if and how the vessels in their current state could integrate with the Philippine fleet or whether any refit would be required to extend their operational life and boost their performance and capabilities.
It is still unclear, however, how Japan will be able to export entire secondhand military platforms under its strict arms export regulations, formally known as the Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology, or if further revision to the regulations would be required.
A recent decision to allow the export of 11 upgraded Mogami-class frigates to Australia only became possible under the current guidelines because this fits into the category of “joint developments and production,” which is normally reserved for new equipment. However, such a move still requires National Security Council approval and is determined on a case-by-case basis.
Either way, experts believe that a solution is likely to be found should the two sides agree to proceed with the transfer, a move likely to have an impact beyond the warships themselves.
The MSDF currently operates six Abukuma-class ships, all of which entered service between 1989 and 1993. They have a crew of 120, a full-load displacement of about 2,500 tons, a top speed of 27 knots (50 kilometers per hour) and are armed with torpedoes, anti-surface missiles, a naval gun and a close-in weapons system.
Prior to the inspection, the Philippine Navy had said that the Abukuma class, which is mainly designed for anti-submarine and anti-ship warfare, aligns with the service’s operational requirements.
If the expert assessment results in an acquisition recommendation, the Philippines would probably be interested in acquiring “at least three or four” to not only keep supply lines open but also ensure the move has a significant “capability impact,” the source said, adding that it would also be conceivable for the navy to acquire the entire class.
How and when this would happen is still unclear, as the upcoming expert assessment is just one of several steps in the exploratory discussions between Tokyo and Manila.
“There would be several options, including a ‘hot transfer,’” the source said, meaning that the Philippine Navy could acquire the vessels in their current condition following training.
“Given the current tense situation in the West Philippine Sea, this option could be a shot in the arm for our near— to midterm naval capabilities,” the source said, referring to parts of the South China Sea that fall within the country’s exclusive economic zone.
“If that decision is made, we could quickly organize a team, send them to Japan to train, familiarize and ultimately bring the ships to the Philippines,” the source added.
While such an approach would dramatically speed up the transfer, it’s unclear whether at least some of these aging vessels would need an overhaul or a systems upgrade, something that would most likely be carried out by Japanese companies.
This is why another option would be to acquire an initial batch of the warships as “hot transfers” to meet the immediate requirements, while allowing the remaining to come later, following upgrades based on Philippines-specific requirements.
“These and other aspects are likely to be part of the discussion with the Japanese government,” the official noted.
Speaking at a news conference Tuesday, Defense Minister Gen Nakatani confirmed that while no decision has been made, escort vessels that have reached a certain age such as the Abukuma-class are being considered for early retirement and subsequent transfer to “friendly nations” as part of the current defense capability development plan.
“In general terms, whether a project falls under international joint development and production will be determined on a case-by-case basis,” Nakatani said when asked about how the export could be realized.
“I would prefer not to speculate on future developments, but in any case, specific schedules will be determined in accordance with the Three Principles for Equipment Transfers … and the feasibility of the transfers will be strictly reviewed,” he added.
Manila is also no stranger to receiving secondhand military equipment from Japan, following the provision of five TC-90 aircraft between 2017 and 2018 for use in maritime patrols.
“If the decisionmakers agree, we hope that the Abukuma vessels won’t be the last such transfer,” the official said, noting that Philippine interest could extend to other assets and technologies such as additional vessels, sensors, communication systems and aircraft, as the partners also aim to quickly deepen defense-industrial cooperation.
“I hope this will be possible,” the source said. “A stronger Philippines would result in a more stable region, which, in turn, would also mean greater peace and stability for Japan.”
Staff writer Jesse Johnson contributed to this report
Philippine bid to acquire used Japanese warships gains steam
