By Xie Ruiqiang
The Japanese Abukuma -class frigate. Photo from the website of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
Japan's The Yomiuri Shimbun reported that Japan has reached an agreement with the Philippine government on the export of second-hand frigates of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) to the Philippines. It is said that the aim is to enhance the collaborative operational capabilities with the Philippine military.
According to report, the information has been confirmed by several Japanese government officials. Japan's Defense Minister Gen Nakatani and his Philippine counterpart, Gilberto Teodoro, confirmed the export of the second-hand frigates to the Philippines during a meeting in Singapore in June. It is expected that six Abukuma-class frigates of the JMSDF will be exported this time.
Equipment that can be exported, according to Japan's Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology, is restricted within five categories including rescue, transportation, vigilance, surveillance, and mine clearance. Therefore, the frigates with powerful offensive capabilities are excluded from direct export. However, export is feasible in the form of joint development, such as the next-generation fighter jet under joint development by Japan, the UK, and Italy, andthe new shipthat Japan proposed to Australia for joint development based on the Mogami -class frigates. Japan's current plan is to export the second-hand frigates in the form of cooperative development with the Philippines with specific steps including modifying the specifications to ensure that the Philippines obtains the equipment and communication devices needed. At the same time, Japan is also considering the export of new frigates in the future in the same way.
In terms of weapons and equipment export, Japan and the Philippines have been incrementally strengthening their military cooperation over the recent years. In addition to the above-mentioned second-hand frigates, the Philippines agreed in 2024 to purchase five coast guard patrol vessels from Japan to enhance its capabilities to patrol in the South China Sea.
During his visit to the Philippines in this February, Japan's Defense Minister Nakatani visited an air force base in SanFernando in northern Philippines' La Union Province to inspect the air defense early warning radars exported by Japan. The Philippines began receiving early warning radar systems from Japan in 2023. In March 2020, the Department of National Defense of the Philippines decided to procure three Japanese J/FPS-3ME improved phased array radars for a total value of 550 million US dollars. This is the first time that Japan has exported defense end items since its government changed the arms embargo policy in 2014, which had attracted great attention from the international community.
Cai Liang, Director and a research fellow of the Center for Northeast Asia Studies of the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies (SIIS), said that from the initial leasing of patrol aircraft, patrol boats and other equipment to the Philippines in the name of self-proclaimed non-traditional security programs to the export of early warning radars, and the current sale of second-hand frigates, Japan's export of weapons and equipment to the Philippines has been making breakthroughs with incremental steps. On the one hand, Japan aims to consolidate its physical presence in the South China Sea, so as to better cope with China's strategy and enhance its international influence. On the other hand, it attempts to promote military export and expand the export of weapons and equipment.
In response to Japan's efforts to expand arms exports in recent years, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs previously stated that due to the history of aggression by Japanese militarism in modern times, Japan's military and security development has always been of great concern to its Asian neighbors and the international community. Over the recent years, Japan has significantly adjusted its security policy, increased its defense budget each year, relaxed restrictions on arms export, and sought breakthroughs in military power development. China urges Japan to earnestly respect the security concerns of its neighbors, deeply reflect on its history of aggression, stick to the path of peaceful development, and take concrete actions to win the trust of its Asian neighbors and the international community.
