The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said the possible acquisition of Japan’s Type 88 surface-to-ship missile system would strengthen the country’s territorial defense capabilities, particularly under its archipelagic defense strategy.
Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad, AFP spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, said the system would support the military’s capability development under the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept, or CADC, which is aimed at improving the country’s ability to protect its maritime domain.
“That will be a big help because it is aligned with our capability development for CADC,” Trinidad said.
Reports said the Philippines has expressed interest in acquiring the Japanese missile system, prompting Japan’s defense ministry to study the possible export of the equipment to Manila.
The Type 88 system was recently featured during the Balikatan exercises in Ilocos Norte, where it was used in a maritime strike training that sank a decommissioned Philippine Navy vessel.
Trinidad said any acquisition of such a system would help the AFP better perform its mandate to protect national sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the Filipino people.
“We welcome any move by like-minded countries to strengthen the AFP capability,” he said.
Asked whether the Philippines had formally conveyed its interest to Japan, Trinidad declined to disclose details, saying developments involving allies and partner-countries would be announced publicly at the appropriate time.
The Philippine Navy also said coastal defense remains part of the AFP modernization program.
Navy spokesperson Capt. Marissa Martinez said the military is looking at systems that would address coastal defense needs, although she declined to provide specifics.
“There are systems there in the modernization program that would talk about coastal defense,” Martinez said.
She noted that while the Navy already has the BrahMos missile system for coastal defense, additional capabilities may still be needed as security challenges continue to evolve.
“When we talk of coastal defense, we need long-range, we need also mid-range. And all of these are taken into account in our capability, in the modernization efforts of the Armed Forces,” Martinez said.