Japan's Strategic Move: Deploying Six Decommissioned Warships to Bolster Philippine Defense Amid Rising Tensions with China

Image Credits: Wikipedia

A recent publication by Yomiuri Shimbun reveals that Japan is set to transfer six of its decommissioned navy destroyers to the Philippines.This move aims to bolster Manila’s maritime defense capabilities and counteract China’s expanding influence in the region.

The vessels in question are Abukuma-class destroyer escorts, which have been part of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) for over three decades. Commissioned between 1989 and 1993, these ships are being retired due to a shortage of personnel and will be replaced by more modern ships that require fewer crew members.

during a meeting in Singapore in June 2025, Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara and Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro confirmed this notable transfer. The Philippine military is gearing up for an inspection of these destroyers this summer as they finalize preparations for their arrival.

While Japan’s Ministry of Defense has chosen not to comment on this development,there has been no immediate feedback from either the philippine military or China’s foreign ministry when approached by Reuters.Both nations share concerns regarding China’s assertive maritime activities. The Philippines has encountered ongoing tensions with China over territorial disputes in the South China Sea, while Japan faces similar issues with Beijing concerning territories in the East China Sea.

Japan plans to treat the installation of communication systems and other requested technologies as a collaborative project aimed at enhancing coordination between their armed forces.This approach will help Japan navigate its stringent export regulations on military equipment.

The Abukuma-class destroyers are relatively compact naval vessels, displacing around 2,000 tons and measuring 109 meters long. each ship can house approximately 120 crew members and comes equipped with anti-submarine missiles, torpedo tubes, and artillery; however, they lack helicopter facilities due to their size constraints.

Currently, the Philippine Navy operates smaller warships such as frigates and corvettes that are less heavily armed than destroyers. Thus, acquiring these six Japanese vessels represents a significant enhancement for their naval fleet.

Japan and the Philippines have previously engaged in joint military drills; additionally, Japan provided radar assistance packages to support Filipino operations. They also maintain regular high-level strategic discussions.

In an crucial step last year, both countries signed a Reciprocal Access Agreement—the first such agreement for Japan within Asia—allowing troops from each nation access to one another’s territory for training purposes.In May 2025, this agreement received legal approval from Japan’s House of Councillors.