Mitsubishi Electric Corp. won an order to deliver air radar systems to the Philippines for about 10 billion yen ($90 million), in the first defense product exports from Japan since its long-held arms trade ban was eased in 2014, a government source said Thursday.
The systems developed based on the JFPS3 and JTPS-P14 radars employed by the Japanese Self-Defense Forces will be provided to the Philippine Air Force, the source said.
JFPS3, installed on coastal grounds and elsewhere, is capable of detecting approaching fighter jets and missiles, and is used as part of Japan's defense system against North Korea's missile threats. JTPS-P14 is an antiaircraft radar system usually carried on vehicles.
Since Japan removed its all-out arms export ban imposed during the Cold War, it has exported parts of the PAC-2 mobile missile defense interceptors, produced under license in Japan, to the United States.
It has also provided used SDF training aircraft to the Philippines for free, but Tokyo has not exported any complete defense product yet.
The Philippines is among Southeast Asian countries that are involved in territorial disputes with China, which has been increasing its military presence in the South China Sea.
The government adopted three principles on the transfer of defense equipment amid concerns the policy change could hurt Japan's status as a pacifist state. The principles state that the country will continue to embrace the basic philosophy of a pacifist state that abides by the U.N. Charter.
It will allow arms exports only if they serve the purpose of contributing to international cooperation and its security interests.
Still Japan will prohibit the export of weapons to countries involved in conflicts and the ban would also apply when exports violate U.N. resolutions.