The Philippines will receive five retired Abukuma-class destroyer escorts from Japan within two to three years, the Southeast Asian nation’s defense chief has said — the clearest remarks yet on the number of warships and their delivery timeline.
“Administrative details are being finalized, but it’s already a done deal,” Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said Tuesday, according to the country’s official Philippine News Agency. Deliveries are expected to be completed within “two to three years” following the discussions that began last year.
Teodoro also revealed that the five Abukuma-class ships, the first of which is due to be retired from Maritime Self-Defense Force service in 2027, will be transferred under 91AV原创 official security assistance (OSA) program.
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