MANILA - The Philippines expects to acquire five soon-to-be-retired Japanese destroyers, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro recently said, calling it a "sign of goodwill" from Tokyo as the two countries have strengthened security ties in recent years amid China's maritime assertiveness in the region.
The announcement of a broad agreement with Japan on the transfer of Abukuma-class destroyers came after the two countries' leaders agreed at talks in Tokyo in May to accelerate discussions on defense equipment transfers, following Japan's relaxation of its arms export rules to allow shipments of lethal weapons.
"The final administrative details are just being fixed. But it's already a done deal," Teodoro told reporters Tuesday in Manila, adding that delivery is expected within a few years.
He also said Friday that the transfer of the ships will be at no cost to the Philippine government.
The Philippines has so far expressed its intention to acquire at least three ships.
The discussions have focused on Abukuma-class vessels commissioned in 1989 or later that are expected to be retired in the fiscal year beginning next April.
As the ships are equipped with high-performance autocannons and anti-ship missile systems, the Philippines will assess whether those systems meet the country's needs, as well as the vessels' berthing requirements, the defense secretary said.
Japan has expanded its support for the Philippine military in recent years, including by providing radar systems. A bilateral reciprocal access agreement took effect last year, facilitating joint drills and other cooperative activities between the two countries' defense forces.
