Gibo, Japan's Nakatani explore advanced defense ties after touring Luzon bases
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani during their visit in key military facilities in Luzon on Sunday. (Photo courtesy of DND)
The Philippines and Japan are considering an advanced defense partnership following the visit of Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani to key military facilities in Luzon on Sunday.
Teodoro, along with key officials from the Department of National Defense and high-ranking military officers, accompanied Nakatani on a tour of Basa Air Base.
The Japanese minister inspected several military installations, including a fuel storage facility, the Air Missile Defense System Training Center, the 4-Bay Hangar, and Sterling Hangar, which are vital for aircraft maintenance and operations.
He also visited the Philippine Air Force’s FA-50PH Flight Simulator, a state-of-the-art training system designed to enhance pilot proficiency, and the C2 Fusion Center, a command and control hub for integrated military operations.
After Basa Air Base, the officials proceeded to Wallace Air Station to assess the country's Air Defense Simulation and Wargaming center, a key facility for military training and strategic planning. They also inspected the mobile and fixed radar installations crucial for monitoring and securing Philippine airspace.
During the visit, they were given an overview of the C2 Building, which highlights the country’s advanced command and control capabilities.
On the sidelines, Teodoro and Nakatani discussed strengthening strategic defense cooperation, focusing on maritime and air defense, capacity-building initiatives, and regional security efforts. Their discussions follow the Philippine Senate’s recent concurrence on the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) between the two nations.
The RAA is expected to enhance coordination and cooperation between the Japan Self-Defense Forces and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
Teodoro previously stated that the agreement would facilitate greater information exchanges and cooperative activities, both bilaterally and multilaterally, in alignment with the rules-based order and the principles of international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).