Japan to Export Six Used Destroyers to Philippines

Japan plans to export six decommissioned Abukuma-class destroyer escorts, originally commissioned between 1989 and 1993, to the Philippines in its first major naval platform export in decades. The transfer, confirmed during a June 2025 meeting in Singapore between the countries' defense ministers, aims to strengthen the Philippines' maritime defenses amid heightened tensions with China. The ships are being retired by Japan due to personnel shortages and will be replaced with more modern vessels. Philippine Navy officials will jointly inspect the ships this summer to determine their condition and suitability for integration. This export supports the Philippines' ongoing naval modernization and enhances bilateral interoperability and deterrence capabilities. The move follows the approval of a Reciprocal Access Agreement, streamlining joint military activities between the two nations.