Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said the final decision on the “possible transfer” of six used Abukuma-class destroyer escorts to the Philippines will depend on how these vessels could be integrated with the Navy’s existing and incoming assets.

“It will add to the fleet size, but that will depend on whether we need to spend money for weaponizing it, for interoperability, and for secure communications,” Teodoro said in an ambush interview shortly after attending an event in Taguig City on Tuesday.

Teodoro noted the Navy is still awaiting the arrival of eight newly acquired ships and is also constructing support infrastructure for them.

“We are busy building the onshore facilities to support the eight. Nonetheless, the strategic basing initiative is hopefully going to break ground soon because we cannot afford to wait anymore for any other vessels to come without hope,” he added.

Teodoro emphasized that ongoing upgrades to current naval assets remain a priority.

He also highlighted the need to strike a balance between acquiring new platforms and maintaining or modernizing existing ones.

“To upgrade the weapon systems of all our existing vessels is a continuing exercise. So, it’s a balance. It’s a resource management balance between acquiring new and maintaining and repurposing the old and the ordered vessels to come,” he said.

The Philippine Navy is set to send a team of experts to Japan next month to carry out a joint visual inspection (JVI) of six destroyer escorts.

The inspection aims to assess the operational condition of the vessels ahead of their potential transfer from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF).

Once the inspection is completed, the Navy will submit its findings and recommendations to the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Department of National Defense.

The Navy noted the possible transfer of JMSDF vessels underscores the deepening defense ties between Manila and Tokyo.

It added the move aligns with broader regional efforts to strengthen maritime security and interoperability amid evolving security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.