Japan To Send 6 Used Warships To Philippines To Strengthen Defense Against China
Japan will send six of its used navy destroyers to the Philippines in an effort to strengthen Manila’s maritime defense and jointly deter China’s growing influence in regional waters, according to Japanese newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun.
The plan involves six Abukuma-class destroyer escorts that have been in service with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) for over 30 years. These warships, originally commissioned between 1989 and 1993, are now being gradually phased out due to personnel shortages and will be replaced by newer vessels that require fewer crew members.
According to the report, Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara and Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro confirmed the transfer deal during a meeting in Singapore in June 2025. The Philippine military is expected to inspect the destroyers this summer as part of the final preparations.
Japan’s Ministry of Defense declined to comment on the report, while there were no immediate responses from the Philippine military or China’s foreign ministry when contacted by Reuters.
Both Japan and the Philippines have expressed concerns over China’s increasingly assertive actions at sea. The Philippines has faced repeated tensions with China in the South China Sea, while Japan has ongoing territorial disputes with Beijing in the East China Sea.
Japan will treat the installation of communication systems and other requested equipment as a joint development project, to support the Philippine military and enhance coordination between the two forces. This will help Japan navigate its strict export restrictions on military equipment.
The Abukuma-class destroyer escorts are relatively small naval vessels with a standard displacement of 2,000 tons and a length of 109 meters. Each ship can accommodate a crew of about 120 people. They are equipped with anti-submarine and anti-ship missiles, torpedo tubes, and guns. However, these vessels are not built to carry helicopters due to their compact size.
The Philippine Navy currently operates smaller warships like frigates and corvettes, which are lighter and less heavily armed than destroyers. The arrival of these six vessels from Japan will be a major upgrade for the Philippine fleet.
The two countries have already conducted joint military exercises and Japan has supplied a radar aid package to the Philippines. They also hold regular high-level strategic dialogues.
Last year, Japan and the Philippines signed a Reciprocal Access Agreement, the first of its kind for Japan in Asia, allowing troops from each country to be deployed on the other’s territory. In May 2025, Japan’s House of Councillors approved the agreement, making it legally binding.
References: philstar, Reuters