At an event marking the founding of the Japan Self-Defense Forces held in Manila, Japan's defense industry displayed air defense missiles and radar, signaling that efforts to export arms to the Philippines are gaining momentum. In connection with this, people involved in Japanese companies pointed to the need to maintain the production base through exports.
On 7 October, Mitsubishi Electric and Toshiba of Japan displayed the Self-Defense Forces' air defense systems at an event in Manila, the Philippines, marking the 72nd anniversary of the founding of the Japan Self-Defense Forces. The exhibits included an improved version of the Type 03 medium-range surface-to-air missile, the Type 11 short-range air defense system, and the Type 91 man-portable surface-to-air missile. They were presented as potentially meeting the Philippine military's air defense needs.
People involved in Japan's defense industry said in interviews with USNI News that, following revisions to the Guidelines for the Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology, these Japanese-made air defense systems can now be sold and transferred to the Philippines. The proposal forms part of efforts to deepen air defense support as part of the Philippines' next modernization program.
Japanese military writer Inaba Yoshihiro (稲葉義泰) pointed out that, although Japan is expanding its domestic missile production capacity, current efforts are focused on strengthening the Self-Defense Forces' long-range strike capabilities and are not sufficient to meet export demand. He expressed the view that continued exports are essential to maintaining the production base.
The case is seen as indicating a new stage in the security support Japan has provided to the Philippines, while also representing a continuation of efforts to strengthen monitoring and defense cooperation around the South China Sea.