[Llarry]

The Philippine Navy has scored a major win with the planned acquisition of six modern frigates to be transferred from Japan. The entire Abukuma class will go to the Philippines, which has been in the news as an aggressive Chinese navy expands its operations near Philippine waters.

The six Abukumas were commissioned in the JMSDF in 1989-93 and are rated as destroyer escorts (or frigates). They feature Diesel and gas turbine propulsion systems and displace 2,550 tons full load.