The Philippines will receive five retired Abukuma-class destroyer escorts from Japan within two to three years, the Southeast Asian nation*s defense chief has said 〞 the clearest remarks yet on the number of warships and their delivery timeline.

※Administrative details are being finalized, but it*s already a done deal,§ Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said Tuesday, according to the country*s official Philippine News Agency. Deliveries are expected to be completed within ※two to three years§ following the discussions that began last year.

Teodoro also revealed that the five Abukuma-class ships, the first of which is due to be retired from Maritime Self-Defense Force service in 2027, will be transferred under Japan*s official security assistance (OSA) program.