Japan and Indonesia have agreed to start working-level talks on exporting Asagiri-class destroyers. The agreement came during a meeting between defense ministers in Tokyo.
Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and Indonesian counterpart Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin reached the deal on Friday. They will use a working-level framework set up last month to cover issues including training and maintenance. The talks follow Japan's April revision of its defense equipment transfer rules. This change allows exports of weapons such as destroyers to partners that have signed security agreements with Tokyo. The Asagiri-class vessels entered service in 1988 and include anti-submarine capabilities. One ship was retired in March. Indonesia has already signed the required classified information protection pact with Japan.
