Japan, Indonesia begin talks on potential Asagiri-class destroyer transfer

Lead vessel Asagiri , seen here while it was in Sydney Harbour in 2014. (Janes/Russell Smith)

Japan's Ministry of Defense (MoD) announced on 5 June that Tokyo and Jakarta have agreed to begin discussions on defence equipment co-operation, including the possible transfer of Asagiri-class destroyers.

The agreement follows a meeting in Tokyo between Japan's Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and his Indonesian counterpart Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin.

According to the MoD, the two sides will use a working-level framework established in May 2026 to examine training, maintenance, and operational aspects of any potential transfer.

The announcement does not constitute a transfer decision but confirms that formal talks are under way for the first time on the possible export of Japanese destroyers to Indonesia.

The development comes as the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) begins to draw down its Asagiri-class fleet, a group of general-purpose destroyers that has been in service since the late 1980s.

The lead ship, Asagiri, entered service in March 1988 and was decommissioned on 23 March 2026 after 38 years of service in both operational and training roles.

The Asagiri class comprises eight ships constructed between the mid-1980s and early 1990s.

Designed as multi-mission platform escorts, the ships formed a core component of the JMSDF's general-purpose escort force for more than three decades.

Each Asagiri-class destroyer has a full-load displacement of approximately 4,900 tonnes, with an overall length of 137 m and a beam of 14.6 m.

Propulsion is provided by four Spey gas turbines in a combined gas-and-gas (COGAG) configuration, enabling a top speed of around 30 kt.

The ships carry a crew of approximately 220 personnel and are equipped with a flight deck and hangar capable of supporting a single SH‑60J Seahawk helicopter.