Manila: The Philippines on Sunday confirmed that Japan will transfer several of its used naval ships to Manila amid efforts to strengthen deterrence and response capabilities, according to the state-run Philippine News Agency.

According to Anadolu Agency, the Philippine Navy (PN) stated that they are now undertaking steps for a Joint Visual Inspection (JVI) of the ships following the official invitation from Japan's Ministry of Defense. This initiative marks a significant step in the ongoing defense collaboration between the two nations.

Earlier, the Tokyo-based newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun reported that Manila and Tokyo have reached an agreement to export used Abukuma-class destroyer escorts. The strategic move aims to enhance interoperability with the Philippine military and bolster joint deterrence and response capabilities amid growing regional tensions.

The Abukuma-class vessels, originally commissioned between 1989 and 1993, are expected to play a crucial role in the Philippines' maritime strategy. The Philippine Navy has announced that a delegation of naval experts will be dispatched to conduct an in-depth assessment of the ships to ensure they meet operational requirements.

"This planned inspection forms part of exploratory discussions on the possible transfer of these naval assets to the Philippines. Designed for anti-submarine and anti-ship warfare, the Abukuma-class destroyer escorts are known for their reliability and versatility, which align with the PN's operational requirements in protecting the country's maritime domains," the PN stated.