Latest news with #Abukuma-class
GMA Network
3 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
PCG likely won't be recipient of Japanese warships —Tarriela
The JS Abukuma (DE-229) is the leader of a class of destroyer escorts capable of anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare. JMSDF website The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is unlikely to be an alternative recipient of the Japanese warships in case the assets are not suitable for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), an official of the agency said Wednesday. 'Even before we respond kung tatanggapin namin, ang tanong diyan is will the Japanese government also give that to the Coast Guard?' PCG spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela said at the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum. (Even before we respond if we accept it, the question is will the Japanese government give that to the Coast Guard?') Tarriela pointed out that the Japanese government is strict in transferring military and coast guard assets to other countries. 'Mas sensitive pa ang Japan pagdating sa defense articles at saka sa Coast Guard equipment. Kapag pinag-usapan ng defense for the Japanese government, they will really stick it out to the Defense department,' he said. (Japan is more sensitive when it comes to defense articles and Coast Guard equipment. When it comes to defense for the Japanese government, they will really stick it out to the Defense department.) 'So hindi siguro mako-consider ang Coast Guard as an alternative to receive those six destroyer retired vessels ng Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force,' he added. (So the Coast Guard is unlikely to be considered as an alternative to receiving those six destroyer retired vessels of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force.) On Tuesday, the Philippine Navy said a team of experts in August will inspect the Japanese warships that are planned to be transferred to the country. 'A delegation of naval experts from the Philippine Navy will be dispatched to conduct an in-depth assessment of the ships. The outcome of this inspection will guide further deliberations on the potential acquisition and its alignment with the Philippine Navy's modernization efforts,' the Philippine Navy said. Based on a report from Japanese media on Sunday, Tokyo and Manila have agreed to the export of six used Abukuma-class destroyer escorts that were commissioned from 1989 to 1993. Classified as general-purpose destroyer escorts employed primarily for anti-submarine warfare (ASW), the 2,550-ton Abukuma class ships have been in service for over 30 years. Due to a shortage of navy personnel, they are being gradually retired and will be replaced by new ships that require fewer crew to operate, according to the Japanese media. 'If the export of these used destroyers is realized, it will be the first such case. The export of the destroyers aim to improve interoperability with the Philippine military and jointly strengthen deterrence and response capabilities against China, which is unilaterally advancing into the ocean,' the Shimbun report said. — BM, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
4 days ago
- Business
- GMA Network
PH to inspect Japan warships in August for possible transfer
The JS Abukuma (DE-229) is the leader of a class of destroyer escorts capable of anti submarine and anti surface warfare. JMSDF website The Philippine Navy on Tuesday said a team of experts in August will inspect the Japanese warships that are planned to be transferred to the country. 'We are sending a joint visual inspection team composed of experts from the Philippine Navy. The team is composed of surface warfare officers, sea systems experts, financial analysts, logisticians,' Philippine Navy spokesperson Captain John Percie Alcos said in a press briefing. 'We'll be forwarding appropriate recommendations to General Headquarters and the Department of National Defense,' he added. The Philippine Navy earlier said the inspection is part of exploratory discussions on the possible transfer of the Japanese naval assets to the Philippines. 'A delegation of naval experts from the Philippine Navy will be dispatched to conduct an in-depth assessment of the ships. The outcome of this inspection will guide further deliberations on the potential acquisition and its alignment with the Philippine Navy's modernization efforts,' the Philippine Navy said. Based on a report from a Japanese media on Sunday, Tokyo is set to export six warships to the Philippines. A translated report from the Yomiuri Shimbun said Tokyo and Manila have agreed to the export of six used Abukuma-class destroyer escorts that were commissioned from 1989 to 1993. The information was revealed by 'multiple Japanese government officials,' the report said. 'Defense Minister [Gen] Nakatani and Philippine Defense Minister Gilberto Teodoro confirmed the export of the used escort ships during a meeting in Singapore in early June. The exports are expected to consist of six Abukuma class destroyers of the [Japan Maritime Self Defense Force],' the Shimbun article reported. Classified as general-purpose destroyer escorts employed primarily for anti-submarine warfare (ASW), the 2,550-ton Abukuma class ships have been in service for over 30 years. Due to a shortage of navy personnel, they are being gradually retired and will be replaced by new ships that require fewer crew to operate, according to the Japanese media. 'If the export of these used destroyers is realized, it will be the first such case. The export of the destroyers aim to improve interoperability with the Philippine military and jointly strengthen deterrence and response capabilities against China, which is unilaterally advancing into the ocean,' the publication said. — BM, GMA Integrated News
Miami Herald
5 days ago
- Politics
- Miami Herald
US Ally Plans Naval Power Increase Amid China Threat on Disputed Territory
U.S. ally the Philippines has confirmed the "possible transfer" of Japanese warships amid China's growing military presence in the contested South China Sea. Citing a government source, Japanese media reported on Sunday that the defense ministers of Japan and the Philippines discussed the warship export plan during a meeting last month. Newsweek reached out to Japan's Defense Ministry and the Philippine military for comment via email. China's Defense Ministry did not immediately respond to a written request for comment. Both the Philippines and China have overlapping sovereignty claims in the South China Sea, particularly over Scarborough Shoal, which is controlled by Beijing as Huangyan Dao and claimed by Manila as Bajo de Masinloc, leading to frequent standoffs and clashes between their forces. Facing China's growing and powerful navy and coast guard-both the world's largest by hull count-the Philippines has enhanced its naval power by acquiring newly built warships and second-hand vessels from its allies and partners, including former United States Coast Guard ships. In a statement released on Sunday, the Philippine Navy said it is preparing to inspect Japan's Abukuma-class destroyer escorts following an invitation from Japan's Defense Ministry, as part of discussions on the possible transfer of the ships to the Southeast Asian country. Earlier in the day, Japanese media reported the possible export of the 2,000-ton Abukuma-class warships, a total of six vessels commissioned between 1989 and 1993, each armed with a 76 mm rapid-fire gun and surface-to-surface missiles (SSMs) for anti-ship missions. The Philippine Navy said it will send a group of naval experts to conduct what it described as an "in-depth assessment" of the Japanese warships to guide further deliberations on the potential acquisition and its alignment with the country's naval modernization efforts. While Japan bans the export of lethal weapons, Tokyo is expected to treat the transfer as a "joint development"-a classification permitted under its principles on the overseas transfer of military equipment-as the warships would be customized for the Philippine Navy. If the warship transfer deal is eventually confirmed, it would mark a major milestone in the growing defense partnership between the two U.S. treaty allies. Japan previously delivered patrol vessels, maritime surveillance aircraft, and mobile radar systems to the Philippines. Vice Admiral Jose Ma. Ambrosio Ezpeleta, chief of the Philippine Navy, told the specialist outlet Naval News that the earliest possible date for receiving Japanese warships is 2027. The Philippine Navy said in a statement on Sunday: "Designed for anti-submarine and anti-ship warfare, the Abukuma-class destroyer escorts are known for their reliability and versatility, which align with the [Philippine Navy]'s operational requirements in protecting the country's maritime domains." Vice Admiral Jose Ma. Ambrosio Ezpeleta, chief of the Philippine Navy, told Naval News: "We initiated the talks after learning about Japan's plan to retire these [Abukuma-class destroyer escorts]...We need more floating assets. This will be a good addition to our capability to patrol and defend our maritime territory." It remains to be seen whether the Philippines will make additional vessel purchases or request further transfers of second-hand ships from its allies and partners for its navy and coast guard. Related Articles China Sends Military on Combat Patrol Against US Ally: VideoMap Tracks US Coast Guard Missions Near ChinaUS and China's Aircraft Carriers Show Force in Contested WatersAsia Map Shows US Coast Guard Ships Given to China's Neighbors 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Newsweek
5 days ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
US Ally Plans Naval Power Increase Amid China Threat on Disputed Territory
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. U.S. ally the Philippines has confirmed the "possible transfer" of Japanese warships amid China's growing military presence in the contested South China Sea. Citing a government source, Japanese media reported on Sunday that the defense ministers of Japan and the Philippines discussed the warship export plan during a meeting last month. Newsweek reached out to Japan's Defense Ministry and the Philippine military for comment via email. China's Defense Ministry did not immediately respond to a written request for comment. Why It Matters Both the Philippines and China have overlapping sovereignty claims in the South China Sea, particularly over Scarborough Shoal, which is controlled by Beijing as Huangyan Dao and claimed by Manila as Bajo de Masinloc, leading to frequent standoffs and clashes between their forces. Facing China's growing and powerful navy and coast guard—both the world's largest by hull count—the Philippines has enhanced its naval power by acquiring newly built warships and second-hand vessels from its allies and partners, including former United States Coast Guard ships. What To Know In a statement released on Sunday, the Philippine Navy said it is preparing to inspect Japan's Abukuma-class destroyer escorts following an invitation from Japan's Defense Ministry, as part of discussions on the possible transfer of the ships to the Southeast Asian country. Earlier in the day, Japanese media reported the possible export of the 2,000-ton Abukuma-class warships, a total of six vessels commissioned between 1989 and 1993, each armed with a 76 mm rapid-fire gun and surface-to-surface missiles (SSMs) for anti-ship missions. The Philippine Navy said it will send a group of naval experts to conduct what it described as an "in-depth assessment" of the Japanese warships to guide further deliberations on the potential acquisition and its alignment with the country's naval modernization efforts. While Japan bans the export of lethal weapons, Tokyo is expected to treat the transfer as a "joint development"—a classification permitted under its principles on the overseas transfer of military equipment—as the warships would be customized for the Philippine Navy. This undated photo provided by Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force shows an Abukuma-class destroyer escort. This undated photo provided by Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force shows an Abukuma-class destroyer escort. Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force If the warship transfer deal is eventually confirmed, it would mark a major milestone in the growing defense partnership between the two U.S. treaty allies. Japan previously delivered patrol vessels, maritime surveillance aircraft, and mobile radar systems to the Philippines. Vice Admiral Jose Ma. Ambrosio Ezpeleta, chief of the Philippine Navy, told the specialist outlet Naval News that the earliest possible date for receiving Japanese warships is 2027. What People Are Saying The Philippine Navy said in a statement on Sunday: "Designed for anti-submarine and anti-ship warfare, the Abukuma-class destroyer escorts are known for their reliability and versatility, which align with the [Philippine Navy]'s operational requirements in protecting the country's maritime domains." Vice Admiral Jose Ma. Ambrosio Ezpeleta, chief of the Philippine Navy, told Naval News: "We initiated the talks after learning about Japan's plan to retire these [Abukuma-class destroyer escorts]...We need more floating assets. This will be a good addition to our capability to patrol and defend our maritime territory." What Happens Next It remains to be seen whether the Philippines will make additional vessel purchases or request further transfers of second-hand ships from its allies and partners for its navy and coast guard.
The Star
5 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Japan to export used destroyers to Philippines to strengthen presence in South China Sea, Yomiuri reports
TOKYO (Reuters): Japan will export used navy destroyers to the Philippines to strengthen its deterrence against China's maritime expansion, the Yomiuri newspaper reported on Sunday, as the two US allies increase cooperation to counter Beijing. The export plan involves six Abukuma-class destroyer escorts in service with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force for more than three decades, the Japanese daily said, citing multiple unnamed government sources. Defence ministers Gen Nakatani and Gilberto Teodoro agreed to the destroyer export when they met in Singapore last month, the Yomiuri said, adding that the Philippine military will inspect the ships this summer as part of the final preparations. A delegation of naval experts from the Philippines will conduct an in-depth assessment of the ships, the Philippine Navy said in a statement on Sunday, following an official invitation from Japan's defence ministry. "The outcome of this inspection will guide further deliberations on the potential acquisition and its alignment with the Philippine Navy's modernisation efforts," it said, adding that the initiative reflects the deepening strategic partnership between the Philippines and Japan. A Japanese defence ministry spokesperson declined to comment on the report. China urged Japan to act prudently in military and security affairs and "adhere to the path of peaceful development". "China has always maintained that defence and security cooperation between countries should contribute to regional peace and stability, and must not target any third party," Chinese foreign ministry said on Monday in a faxed comment to Reuters. Tokyo and Manila say they face challenges from Beijing's increasingly assertive moves in waters including the South China Sea for the Philippines and the East China Sea for Japan. Bilateral military cooperation has included joint exercises, a Japanese radar aid package and a high-level strategic dialogue. Last year they signed a reciprocal access agreement, the first such for Japan in Asia, allowing deployment of forces on each other's soil. To clear military equipment export restrictions for the destroyers under Japan's pacifist mandates, Tokyo will treat the installation of equipment and communication systems requested by Manila as a joint development project, the Yomiuri said. The Abukuma-class destroyer escort, a relatively small type of destroyer with a 2,000-ton standard displacement, is operated by a crew of about 120 and is armed with anti-submarine and anti-ship missiles, torpedo tubes and guns, according to a Japanese navy website. The Philippine Navy does not have destroyers, only frigates and corvettes, which are typically smaller and lighter armed. (Reporting by Kantaro Komiya in Tokyo; Additional reporting by Karen Lema in Manila and Ryan Woo in Beijing; Editing by William Mallard and David Goodman) - Reuters
