According to a report by Japan’s Yomiuri Shimbun on July 6, Japan has reached an agreement with the Philippine government on the export of second-hand frigates of the Maritime Self-Defense Force to the Philippines. If it goes smoothly, it will become the first successful case of Japan’s export of second-hand frigates. Its purpose is to enhance the ability to cooperate with the Philippine military.
According to the report, several Japanese government officials confirmed the news. Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani and Philippine Defense Minister Teodoro confirmed the export of second-hand frigates to the Philippines when they met in Singapore in June. It is expected that the export will be six “Abukuma” class frigates of the Maritime Self-Defense Force. The “Abukuma” class frigates have been in service for more than 30 years. In view of the shortage of manpower in the Self-Defense Force, the Maritime Self-Defense Force has begun to replace the “Abukuma” class with new frigates that save more manpower. Several existing ships are being retired in stages.
According to relevant sources, the Philippine military plans to inspect the “Abukuma” class frigates this summer, and is expected to inspect the main gun and other equipment and maintenance conditions. The Japanese side will make final preparations for the export.
The report pointed out that the application guidelines of the “Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment” limit the equipment that can be exported to five types: rescue, transportation, warning, surveillance and minesweeping, while frigates with strong offensive power cannot be exported directly. However, it is possible to export in the form of cooperative development, such as the next-generation fighter jets that Japan is jointly developing with the United Kingdom and Italy, and the new ships that Japan proposed to Australia to jointly develop based on the “Mogami” class frigates. At present, Japan’s plan is also to export second-hand frigates in the form of cooperative development with the Philippines. The specific steps are to ensure that the Philippines obtains the required equipment and communication equipment by modifying the specifications, and also consider exporting new frigates in the same way in the future.
According to the report, Japan and the Philippines are deepening security cooperation and building a quasi-alliance relationship. If the Philippine military can use the frigates developed by Japan, it is expected that the joint disposal capabilities of both sides will be improved.
