To comply with Japan's pacifist military export policies, the export will be classified as a joint development project, involving the installation of requested equipment and communication systems.

Japan is set to export six used Abukuma-class destroyers to the Philippines, aiming to bolster the latter's defense capabilities against China's maritime expansion.

This initiative is part of a broader effort by both nations to strengthen military cooperation, which includes joint exercises and a radar aid package from Japan.

The collaboration also follows a reciprocal access agreement signed last year, allowing the deployment of forces on each other's territory.

Both countries are reacting to China's assertive military presence in the South China Sea and East China Sea, where China boasts 102 surface combatants compared to the Philippines' two frigates.

Currently, the Philippine Navy lacks destroyers, relying solely on smaller frigates and corvettes that are less heavily armed.

The Abukuma-class destroyers, commissioned between 1989 and 1993, are relatively small vessels with a standard displacement of 2,000 tons and a crew of about 120, equipped for anti-submarine and anti-ship warfare.

The acquisition of these destroyers is part of the Philippine Navy's modernization efforts, which also include new guided missile frigates and corvettes from South Korea and fast missile patrol boats from Israel.

As part of the final preparations for the export, the Philippine military is scheduled to inspect the destroyers this summer to assess their condition.

The agreement for the export was finalized during a meeting between Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani and Philippine Defense Minister Gilberto Teodoro in Singapore last month.

The Abukuma-class destroyers have been in service for over 30 years and are primarily utilized for anti-submarine warfare.

Japan's defense export guidelines may necessitate modifications to the destroyers to meet regulatory requirements before the transfer.