#abukumaclass

The Philippine Navy (PN) just officially confirmed through a Statement to the Press the possible transfer of used, "Japan Surplus" (:D) Abukuma-class Destroyer Escorts to them, and are now making Preparations to conduct a Joint Visual Inspection (JVI) soon.

A Delegation of Naval Experts are to conduct the In-Depth Assessment of the Ships, after which further Deliberations will be made if the Vessels will indeed be acquired or not.

Meanwhile, here are more Details of the possible acquisition from to original Article of the "Yomiuri Shimbun", the Japanese News Publication which first wrote the News about it:

The Operational Guidelines for Japan's "Three Principles on the Transfer of Defense Equipment" limits any Transfer of Defense Material to only five Types: For Rescue, Transport, Alert, Surveillance and Minesweeping.

Weapons Platforms with "High Offensive Capability" such as Destroyers cannot be directly exported.

However, such Platforms can be exported by using a "Loophole" or Technicality, and that is if they go through a "Joint Development".

For the Abukuma-class Vessels, Japan intends to modify its Specifications by incorporating Equipment and Communication Facilities that is required by the Philippines, thus allowing their Export.

MY THOUGHTS: Based on the above News Items, it seems that first, the transfer is not final yet, the PN wants to see the Vessels first and then discuss Things more with Japan and themselves if they still want the Ships after the inspection.

Second, I now have some of Doubts about this transfer because of the listed Restrictions. Yes, there are Loopholes, but there will be costs involved in using those Loopholes, and unless Japan shoulders some or most of it, then the PN will again have to find where to get the Money for them.

Also this puts into Doubt the export of Japanese Weapons themselves, unless the Terms “Offensive Weapons” and “Joint Development” are more readily defined. What are the exact Definitions of these? In Theory, I think a Pistol on board a Ship being fired by a Person can be considered as an “Offensive Weapon” also.

Also what does “Joint Development” mean? Does changing the Markings on a Missile for example, already constitute as such? Again, the Definition will be Critical. But bottom line, the export of High End Weapons Systems from Japan will likely be complicated and costs Money as long as they don’t revise their Laws.

In my Opinion, I think the Japanese Defense Manufacturers are eager to export their Products, but are being slowed down by their current Laws. I think that somewhere out there, the South Korean and Indian Defense Manufacturers are now smiling … LOL

SOURCES:

PH Navy confirms 'possible transfer' of Abukuma Destroyer Escorts {Archived Link}

The Japanese News Publication "Yomiuri Shimbun" reported recently that Japan is set to export its used Abukuma class Destroyer Escorts to the Philippines, citing multiple anonymous Japanese Government Officials.

The Philippines' Defense Secretary Gilbero Teodoro reportedly agreed to the export when he met with Japan's Defense Minister Gen Nakatani in Singapore last Month of June 2025. But so far, both the Governments of Japan and the Philippines have refused to confirm yet the Transaction as of now.

The Abukuma class Vessels first entered service with the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) in the 1990s, have a Displacement of 2,000 tons, Length of 109 meters and Top Speed of 50 kilometers per hour.

They are equipped with Air and Surface Search Radars and Bow-mounted Sonars. For Cannons they have an Oto Melara Compact 76 mm caliber Main Gun and a Phalanx Close In Weapons System (CIWS).

They each can carry four RGM-84 Harpoon Anti-Ship Missiles, have an eight round Launcher for the Anti-Submarine Rockets (ASROC) and two Triple Launchers for Lightweight Torpedoes.

MY THOUGHTS: Note that the word “export” is used, so it looks like we are buying these, hopefully at a reasonable Price, and that Japan will give us a good Loan Deal for them. These Ships seem to be pretty decent All-Around, General Purpose Ships, but lacking in Air Support since it doesn’t have Facilities for Aircraft.

I would rate these as somewhat in the same League as the former Pohang-class Vessels, but we only got one of those so far as of now and we’re getting six of these. The Abukuma class Ships are around three Decades old now, but are generally younger than the former Hamilton and former Pohang class Vessels that we have.

I hope that the Harpoon Missiles and Phalanx will be included in the Export, but I’m not too optimistic about it. I think the ASROC Launcher though will be included as it was License-built by Japan. Overall aside from its Age, I can’t think much of anything Negative about these Ships as of now.

They are not anywhere as capable as China’s Frigates and Destroyers, but much better than most of our Ships right now.

SOURCES:

Japan to export used Destroyers to Philippines to deter China, Yomiuri Reports {Archived Link}