By MIZUKI SATO/ Staff Writer
December 3, 2025 at 15:01 JST
The Japanese-built air defense radar unit at Wallace Air Station, Philippines (Toshiya Obu)
Japan is preparing to export a command and control system to the Philippines, marking a significant boost in defense equipment cooperation between the two countries.
The move reflects Tokyo’s growing emphasis on transferring defense technology to Manila amid China’s growing military presence in the region.
According to Defense Ministry sources, the system is designed for air defense operations. It integrates radar and sensor data to detect enemy aircraft and missiles, processes the information centrally and enables coordinated command and control.
Japan’s current guidelines on defense equipment transfers restrict exports to five categories: rescue, transport, warning, surveillance and minesweeping.
The government has determined that the system qualifies under the warning and surveillance categories, making the export permissible under existing rules.
Japan has already supplied the Philippines with air surveillance radar units. Officials say the addition of a command and control system would allow smoother information sharing between the armed forces of the two countries.
A senior defense official noted that preparations are under way to build a common air defense system between the two nations.
Interest in Japanese defense technology is expanding in Manila.
Philippine defense authorities have recently expressed interest in Japan’s Type-03 medium-range surface-to-air missile, which is capable of intercepting enemy aircraft and cruise missiles.
When combined with the radar system and the command-and-control system, the missile would enable the Philippines to carry out detection and interception operations entirely with Japanese-made equipment.
However, the Type-03 missile does not fall under the current five export categories, making its transfer impossible under existing rules.
The ruling Liberal Democratic Party and its junior coalition partner, Nippon Ishin (Japan Innovation Party), have agreed to abolish the five categories restriction next year, paving the way for exports of the Type-03 missile.
Defense officials caution that discussions are still at an early stage, with one noting that future deliberations will include whether Japan’s domestic production lines have sufficient capacity to support such exports.
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