Japanese used navy destroyers sent to Phillipines

Japan plans to export six used Abukuma-class destroyers to the Philippines to enhance defense cooperation against China's maritime expansion. This initiative follows a meeting between Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani and Philippine Defense Minister Gilberto Teodoro in Singapore. The Philippine military is set to inspect the destroyers this summer.

Though Tokyo has not commented on this plan, both nations face challenges from China's assertiveness in the region. Their military collaboration includes joint exercises, radar support, and a reciprocal access agreement for forces deployment. Japan will categorize the export as a joint development project to bypass its military equipment export restrictions.