Senator Joseph Victor ‘JV’ Ejercito on Sunday welcomed Japan’s decision to transfer six Abukuma-class destroyer escorts to the Philippines, calling it a major enhancement to the country’s naval defense.
“If this materializes, this will be a big boost to our naval defense fleet! Arigatou Gozaimasu Japan,” he said, expressing his gratitude in Japanese.
The transfer was reportedly finalized during discussions between Japanese and Philippine defense officials on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore in June.
The vessels, originally designed for anti-submarine warfare, are being offered as part of expanding Japan-Philippines security cooperation.
Once in Philippine custody, the vessels may be retrofitted with American, European, or Korean-made missiles at a later stage.
The Abukuma-class features include a 76mm Oto Melara Mk. 75 gun, ASROC anti-submarine rockets, torpedo launchers, and a Phalanx close-in weapon system.
The ships share several combat system similarities with the Philippine Navy’s Del Pilar and Pohang-class vessels.