Japan is exploring the possibility of exporting used Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyers to the Philippines, aiming to strengthen defense ties amid growing Chinese assertiveness in the South China Sea, a government source said on Sunday.
Defense Minister Gen Nakatani discussed the proposal with Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro during their June meeting in Singapore, according to the source.
While Japan’s Constitution restricts the export of lethal weapons, those rules allow transfers under the framework of joint development or production projects. Officials believe the destroyers, despite being armed, could qualify under this clause if customized to suit Philippine requirements.
The ships under consideration are Abukuma-class destroyers, each weighing 2,000 tons, measuring 109 meters, and equipped with anti-ship missiles and rapid-fire cannons. Originally commissioned between 1989 and 1993, each vessel requires a crew of about 120 personnel.
Japan’s 2022 Defense Buildup Program calls for the early retirement of older vessels with limited upgrade potential. The Abukuma-class fits this criteria, making them candidates for transfer.
The move comes as Japan and the Philippines intensify security cooperation in response to ongoing maritime tensions with China. Territorial disputes between Manila and Beijing in the South China Sea have added urgency to regional defense strategies.