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}
Abukuma Class Destroyer Escorts {Archived Link}
