Japan has completed an air surveillance radar unit for the Philippines to be the first such export under rules that were eased to allow defense equipment to be shipped overseas under certain conditions.

“For Japan, the Philippines is a strategic partner sharing common principles and goals,” Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada said at a news conference after a Cabinet meeting on Oct. 3.

The radar system will be delivered to the Philippines in mid-November or later.

This will be the first domestically produced defense equipment to be shipped overseas since the administration of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe eased export rules in 2014 under the “Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology.”

The Philippines are engaged in a territorial dispute with China in the South China Sea.

“Enhancing cooperation in defense equipment with the Philippines is also important for ensuring peace and stability in our country and the region,” Hamada said.

An air radar unit is used to track the movements of fighter jets and other objects in flight. 

Mitsubishi Electric Corp. signed a contract with the Philippine government to deliver four radar units in August 2020.

Three are fixed-site radar units, one of which is now completed, and one mobile radar unit.

The Japanese Air Self-Defense Force will host six personnel from the Philippines Air Force from Oct. 4 for training on operating and maintaining the radar units.