Japan hands over patrol planes to Manila

It marks the first time Tokyo has transferred military hardware to the custody of a foreign government

The Philippines’ ability to patrol its maritime boundaries got a boost with the handover yesterday of two military aircraft from Japan.

The transfer of two Beechcraft TC-90 aircraft marks the first time Japan has transferred military hardware to the custody of a foreign government — if only on a lease agreement.

Under post-Second World War restrictions, the country is not allowed to engage in military sales to another country.

The twin-engined, propeller aircraft will largely be used by the Philippine Navy for patrolling maritime boundaries and also serve as training aircraft pending the arrival of three more planes of the same type.

“The transfer of these TC90s is a result of several agreements — the Memorandum on Defence Cooperation and Exchange that we entered with Japan in 2015, which is the agreement between Japan and the Philippine government concerning the transfer of defence equipment and technology, and the implementation of the transfer of the TC 90, which was signed by President Rodrigo Duterte when he visited Japan in 2016,” Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said.

The agreement was initiated during the administration of previous President Benigno Aquino III.

Leased in used condition, the aircraft, a militarised version of the civilian Beechcraft King Air, had earlier served the Japanese Coast Guard.

“Japan has agreed to lease five TC 90 to the Philippine Navy for a minimal cost. This transfer of defence equipment is the first among members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations [Asean],” Lorenzana said.

Captain Lued Lincuna spokesman for the Philippine Navy said the aircraft would not only enhance the capability of the country to monitor its maritime territory, but also improve humanitarian and disaster relief capabilities.

Japanese Minister of Defence Kenji Wakamiya said the Philippines is an important trading partner for Japan and that it is vital that the sea lanes between the two countries are always secure.