• Japan will export six used Abukuma-class destroyers to the Philippines.
• The agreement aims to bolster both nations' deterrence against China's maritime expansion.
• The Philippine military plans to inspect the destroyers this summer.
• This export is part of broader military cooperation between Japan and the Philippines.
• Equipment installation for the destroyers will be treated as a joint development project.

Japan will export six used Abukuma-class destroyers to the Philippines to strengthen its deterrence against China's maritime expansion, according to South China Morning Post, Channel News Asia, and The Jakarta Post.

The military agreement was finalized during a meeting between Defence Ministers Gen Nakatani of Japan and Gilberto Teodoro of the Philippines in Singapore last month. The Philippine military is set to inspect the destroyers this summer as part of the preparations for the transfer, as reported by South China Morning Post and Channel News Asia.

This agreement is a part of broader military cooperation aimed at countering Beijing's assertive activity in regional waters, such as the South China Sea for the Philippines and the East China Sea for Japan. Both nations have increased joint exercises and strategic dialogues, alongside a reciprocal access agreement allowing the deployment of each other's forces, according to South China Morning Post, Channel News Asia, and The Jakarta Post.

To meet Japan's pacifist military export restrictions, the installation of necessary equipment and communication systems for the destroyers will be framed as a joint development project with the Philippines. The Abukuma-class destroyers, operated by a crew of about 120, are equipped with various weapons including anti-submarine and anti-ship missiles, according to South China Morning Post, Channel News Asia, and The Jakarta Post.