Manila shops Tokyo’s naval clearance bin

Is it a case, as one military analyst told DAILY TRIBUNE, of “one country’s junk being another’s treasure?”

This, as the Philippine government was reported by a Japanese newspaper to be looking to acquire six retired Abukuma-class destroyer escorts from Tokyo as a significant step forward in the country’s naval modernization efforts.

According to a GMA News, which cited Japan’s Yomiuri Shimbun, defense officials from both countries reached a consensus on the potential transfer during a meeting in Singapore in early June.

Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani and Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro reportedly discussed the deal on the sidelines of a regional security forum.

Philippine Navy spokesperson, Capt. John Percie Alcos, confirmed the possible acquisition of the destroyer escorts, saying they will be “undertaking preparatory steps for a joint visual Inspection” following an official invitation from the Japan Ministry of Defense.

“This planned inspection forms part of exploratory discussions on the possible transfer of these naval assets to the Philippines. Designed for anti-submarine and anti-ship warfare,” Alcos said.

“The Abukuma-class destroyer escorts are known for their reliability and versatility, which align with the Philippine Navy’s operational requirements in protecting the country’s maritime domains,” he added.

He revealed that a delegation of naval experts from the Navy will be dispatched to conduct an in-depth assessment of the ships, explaining that “the outcome of this inspection will guide further deliberations on the potential acquisition and its alignment with the Philippine Navy’s modernization efforts.”

“This initiative reflects the deepening strategic partnership between the Philippines and Japan and reinforces the shared commitment to maritime security, interoperability, and regional peace and stability,” Alcos stressed.

The Abukuma-class ships, weighing around 2,550 tons each, were deployed initially between 1989 and 1993 by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.

Built for anti-submarine warfare and general escort duties, the vessels are gradually being decommissioned due to aging systems and staffing constraints within Japan’s navy.

The move comes amid the Philippines’ broader effort to modernize its naval fleet, which includes new acquisitions from South Korea and Israel, such as the Jose Rizal-class frigates and Shaldag-class patrol boats.

Patchwork

The newer platforms are joined by a patchwork of aging but still operational equipment inherited or donated by longstanding allies.

From the United States, the Philippine Navy received three former Hamilton-class cutters — now Del Pilar-class frigates — and a range of landing and support craft.

The United Kingdom handed over several retired Peacock-class patrol vessels in the 1990s, now serving as the Emilio Jacinto-class corvettes.

“It may be secondhand, but these ships still hold tactical value for a navy stretched thin,” the analyst added, speaking on condition of anonymity.

“We’re not talking about rust buckets — these were frontline assets in a modern navy, and for the Philippines, they could be force multipliers.”

Still, he said, budget permitting, there’s no beating buying “brand new.”

In the air domain, the Philippine Air Force (PAF) has long depended on secondhand platforms, including C-130 Hercules cargo planes and UH-1H Huey helicopters from the US, with Australia later donating ex-Royal Australian Air Force C-130s as well.

New but budget-conscious

More recently, Japan donated a TC-90 King Air aircraft to bolster maritime patrol capabilities. South Korea also transferred a dozen FA-50 fighter-trainers — though newly manufactured, the acquisition was budget-conscious and heavily supported by Seoul.

On land, the Philippine Army has received US military surplus equipment over the years, including M113 armored personnel carriers, M101 and M102 howitzers, and M60 machine guns.

Israel, for its part, supplied upgraded armored vehicles and artillery systems. In 2020, the US also transferred M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) simulators, laying the groundwork for future acquisitions.

The inherited platforms, despite their age, have allowed the AFP to plug critical capability gaps while addressing budget constraints, highlighting how military modernization in the Philippines often blends donations with selective purchases and strategic partnerships.

With tensions rising in the West Philippine Sea, the additional assets could bolster the country’s maritime defense, the analyst told DAILY TRIBUNE.

“But against China, only countries like the US can really project a credible defense against territorial incursions,” he explained.

Territorial dispute

The Philippines has been locked in a long-running maritime dispute with China, which claims almost the entire South China Sea under its so-called nine-dash line, updated to a 10-dash line.

In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines, invalidating China’s expansive claims. Beijing, however, has refused to recognize the decision and continues to assert control through military and paramilitary presence.

A recent assessment by the UK-based International Institute for Strategic Studies noted a stark imbalance in naval strength: China operates more than 100 surface combatants, while the Philippines currently has just two modern frigates.

Japan’s defense export policy has traditionally limited arms transfers to non-offensive categories, such as transport, surveillance, or minesweeping.

However, the Asahi Shimbun report indicated that certain conditions — such as modifications to weapon systems or joint development arrangements — could permit the transfer of ships like the Abukuma-class under existing rules.

This development follows a string of recent defense agreements between the two countries. In April, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba announced two key pacts: the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement and a Security of Information Agreement.

Japan’s legislature also ratified a visiting forces agreement in June, paving the way for Japanese troops to participate in joint exercises on Philippine soil.