Two ships of Escort Division Seven of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) have arrived early morning at Pier 15, South Harbor Manila for a goodwill visit that started Monday and will end on Thursday.
The Murasame-class destroyer JS Yūdachi (DD-103) and the Asagiri-class destroyer JS Yuugiri (DD-153), said Philippine Navy (PN) spokesperson Capt. Lued Lincuna.
Murasame Class guided-missile destroyers
Murasame Class guided-missile destroyers are third-generation multi-purpose ships of the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF). The ship has anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-surface warfare (ASuW) capability together with some limited capability against airborne threats.
Asagiri class Destroyers
Similar armament and capability to Murasame Class guided-missile destroyers, Asagiri class ships are armed with two quad Harpoon SSM launchers carrying eight RGM-84C Harpoon surface-to-surface missiles. The Mk29 Sea Sparrow octuple launcher onboard can fire 18 short-range Sea Sparrow surface-to-air missiles.
Lincuna said the meeting procedure is an internationally-observed naval tradition where the host ship meets the visiting ships and escorts them to their port of call.
Representing the Philippine Navy flag-officer-in-command Vice Admiral Caesar Taccad, and Capt. Primitivo S. Decio led the PN delegation who welcomed the Japanese ships and crew.
Aboard one of the visiting vessels, a port briefing related to security and health was conducted.
Japan Maritime Self-defense Force delegates headed by Division Commander, Capt. Takashi Inoue, are set to render a courtesy call to Taccad during the duration of the visit.
Lincuna said a series of confidence building activities between the visiting navy and their Filipino counterparts would be undertaken such as shipboard tour on board the Japanese ships and reciprocal receptions.
The visit aims to continue enhancing the already strong relationship between the PN and the JMSDF.
It is a demonstration of fostering a commitment to the cooperation between the two nations which benefits regional peace and stability.