JMSDF P-3Cs to make stops in Vietnam, Philippines while returning home from Djibouti

Tokyo has decided that Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force P-3Cs returning home after their deployment in Djibouti will make fuel stops in countries with coastlines in the South China Sea such as Vietnam and Philippines.

U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Devin Menhardt

The move is as Japan’s tacit support of freedom of overflight in areas being claimed by China.

Aircraft enroute to Djibouti are not affected by the new arrangements. The first visit to Vietnam is set to occur next week when a P-3C will arrive in Cam Ranh Bay. Other potential refueling stations are Palawan island in the Philippines and Labuan in East Malaysia.

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