June 2, 2026
SINGAPORE – The defense ministers of Japan and the Philippines reached a broad agreement on Sunday that Japan will transfer an Abukuma-class destroyer to the Philippines promptly after decomissioning it from the Maritime Self-Defense Force as well as a TC-90 aircraft, which will be sent within fiscal 2027, according to officials.
Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and his Philippine counterpart Gilberto Teodoro held talks in Singapore, where Koizumi was present on an official visit.
At the start of the meeting, Koizumi referred to an agreement reached at the Japan-Philippines summit on Thursday that the two countries will begin formal negotiations on a General Security of Military Information Agreement.
Koizumi reportedly said that Japan would like to start discussing the matter so that a conclusion can be reached soon. Teodoro also expressed enthusiasm for cooperating under the “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” vision.
Coordination to arrange the export of the destroyer is in full swing, including the first in-person working-level meeting between directors-general, which was held in Singapore on Friday.
On the same day, Koizumi also met with Singaporean Defense Minister Chan Chun Sing, and they agreed to establish a working group to cooperate in areas such as the defense industry.