From Tokyo, old destroyers handed to Manila do not deliver deterrence alone

Summary

A report by JIIA researcher Hironobu Takezawa, published on 14 October, examines Japan's transfer of Abukuma-class destroyers to the Philippines. On 21 April 2026 Japan revised its principles on defence equipment exports. It scrapped the five permitted categories of rescue, transport, warning, surveillance and minesweeping; any type of equipment can now be transferred subject to review. On 7 July Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro announced agreement in principle on the transfer of five destroyers. The ships are to be delivered within 2–3 years of decommissioning. On 28 May the two countries raised ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership, the first of its kind for the Philippines.

Takezawa writes that the transfer coincides with the Philippines' shift from fighting domestic insurgency to external defence. In his account, the Philippine navy's main surface force amounts to three old Hamilton-class cutters and four new South Korean-built frigates. Five destroyers could close the gap in patrol, surveillance and response to grey-zone activity, meaning coercion below the threshold of war. Japan's anti-submarine experience can be passed on through training and exercises. Manila is pursuing its Re-Horizon 3 plan, which envisages procurement of roughly 35 billion dollars over ten years.

The author also sets out the risks. The Abukuma class was built for coastal duties, has limited air defence and has served for more than 30 years; it is weaker than the new frigates. Between 2014 and 2020 the armed forces received only about 40% of planned funding, and fewer than 30% of projects were completed. Takezawa argues that an equipment transfer works only according to the recipient's dependence, alternative suppliers and operational integration. The Philippines is diversifying its suppliers across the US, South Korea and Israel.