Japan, Philippines to launch working-level destroyer export talks

MANILA (Kyodo) -- Japan and the Philippines agreed Tuesday to establish a framework for working-level talks on the export of used destroyers to the Philippines, with the two countries sharing concerns over China's maritime assertiveness.

The agreement was reached at a meeting in Manila between Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and his Philippine counterpart Gilberto Teodoro.

Last month, Japan revised "the three principles on the transfer of defense equipment and technology," enabling the sale of weapons with lethal capabilities such as destroyers and fighter jets. The potential transfer of destroyers could become the first such case under the new rules.

With China continuing military activities in the East and South China seas, the two ministers also agreed to expand defense cooperation.

"As unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion continue to be observed in the surrounding waters of our two countries, enhancing maritime domain awareness capabilities is essential to prevent contingencies and to maintain maritime order based on the rule of law," Koizumi said.

Koizumi and Teodoro also agreed to step up multilateral defense cooperation, involving other key partners such as the United States and Australia.

"We thank Japan for its review of 'the three principles on the transfer of defense equipment and technology' and its implementing guidelines," Teodoro said. "We were very happy to work with Japan in creating demonstrable results at the soonest possible time."

Japan is trying to strengthen maritime security ties with the Philippines, which is located along key sea lanes.

Using common defense equipment is expected to improve interoperability between their forces.

Japan is considering exporting the Maritime Self-Defense Force's Abukuma-class destroyer equipped with high-performance guns and anti-ship missile systems, as well as its TC-90 training aircraft.

The transfer could be made free of charge following necessary legal arrangements, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Before the ministerial meeting, Koizumi paid a courtesy call on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who is scheduled to make a state visit to Japan in late May.