The Philippines is set to acquire five decommissioned Abukuma-class destroyer escorts from Japan, with Defense Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. confirming that the agreement is nearly finalized except for minor paperwork.
Teodoro shared the update on Tuesday, July 7, during the West Philippine Sea Mural Festival at the National Library in Manila, an event marking the 10th anniversary of the 2016 Arbitral Ruling against China’s maritime claims.
“The final details are only administrative. It’s already done,” he stated.
When asked about the exact number of ships involved in the deal, he confirmed,
“Five. Five Abukuma.”
The Defense Secretary anticipates a formal delivery schedule by next week, estimating that the vessels will arrive in the Philippines within two to three years. He emphasized that the timeline will largely depend on how well the ships’ existing systems align with local naval operations.
“We will see whether their current condition and the systems inside match our requirements. If they do, it will be faster,” Teodoro explained.
The influx of new assets will also require a parallel upgrade to local defense infrastructure, according to Teodoro.
“We also have to build their home port because we have many warships arriving and we have to determine where they will berth,” he noted.
Teodoro described the vessel transfer as a “goodwill” gesture from Tokyo, adding that the two countries are also collaborating on other defense projects, including radar technologies. Japan remains a critical strategic partner for the Philippines amid ongoing regional maritime challenges.