Latest news with #Dema-ala
Khaleej Times
28-01-2025
- Politics
- Khaleej Times
Philippines to train with US Typhon missile system next month
A Philippine platoon will be trained on using a US mid-range missile system next month, ahead of joint drills, Manila's military said on Tuesday, in a move that will likely further fuel tensions with China. The US military deployed the Typhon missile system in the northern Philippines last year as part of an annual joint exercise, but it was not removed after the war games ended. The system's presence on Philippine soil has angered Beijing, whose forces have engaged in several confrontations with Philippine vessels in recent months over disputed reefs and waters in the South China Sea. Last month, the Philippine Army said it was planning to acquire the Typhon system as part of a push to secure its maritime interests, sparking warnings from China of a regional "arms race". A new platoon from the Philippines' Army Artillery Regiment will receive "orientation and familiarisation" training on the system, starting in the second or third week of February, army spokesman Colonel Louie Dema-ala said in a press conference. The week-long training will involve troops from the 1st Multi-Domain Task Force of the US Army Pacific, Dema-ala added. "This is a continuation of what we've learned in the first (training) iteration. New units will be involved in the training and a continuation of the previous platoon that was trained last year," Dema-ala said. "As long as MRC (mid-range missile capability) is here, we maximise its utilisation to train our personnel in new technology," he added. Dema-ala said the training is in preparation for this year's Salaknib, an annual joint exercise between the Philippines and US armies. The training location cannot be disclosed, he told reporters, noting that there will be no firing of the Typhon system. Philippine military spokeswoman Colonel Francel Padilla said moving the launcher from its initial location to a different part of the country is a test "to see how these logistical trains can be transported to certain locations, to certain salient points." Philippine military officials have said the Typhon system would be able to protect vessels up to 370 kilometres off the coast, the limit of its maritime entitlement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Last week, China's foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning renewed calls for the Philippines to "stop going further down the wrong path". "Let me stress again that by bringing this strategic offensive weapon into this part of the world, the Philippines is essentially creating tensions and antagonism in the region and inciting geopolitical confrontation and an arms race," she said.
South China Morning Post
28-01-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Philippine soldiers to train on US Typhon missile system
Published: 5:07pm, 28 Jan 2025 Philippine soldiers will train on the US military's intermediate range missile system during unilateral army drills next month as part of preparations for bigger exercises with US counterparts, a military official said on Tuesday. The Typhon missile system was deployed by US forces to the Philippines in April last year as part of their Balikatan or 'shoulder to shoulder' military exercises, and has since stayed in the country, angering China which has repeatedly called for its withdrawal. Reuters reported last week the launchers were redeployed to a new location in the Philippines, which officials decline to disclose. Tomahawk cruise missiles used in the launchers are capable of hitting targets in both China and Russia from the Philippines. The SM-6 missiles it also carries can strike air or sea targets more than 200km (165 miles) away. A platoon of about 20 soldiers from the army artillery regiment will train with the US Army Pacific's First Multi-Domain Task Force in mid-February, Philippine army spokesperson Louie Dema-ala said. US and Philippine troops during their joint military exercise Balikatan, on May 6, 2024. Photo: AP The exercise will focus on the 'payload delivery system' and will highlight the system's capabilities, Dema-ala said, adding it would not include live-fire exercises.
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Philippine soldiers to train on US Typhon missile system
MANILA (Reuters) - Philippine soldiers will train on the U.S. military's intermediate range missile system during unilateral army drills next month as part of preparations for bigger exercises with U.S. counterparts, a military official said on Tuesday. The Typhon missile system was deployed by U.S. forces to the Philippines in April last year as part of their Balikatan or "shoulder-to-shoulder" military exercises, and has since stayed in the country, angering China which has repeatedly called for its withdrawal. Reuters reported last week the launchers were redeployed to a new location in the Philippines, which officials decline to disclose. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. Tomahawk cruise missiles used in the launchers are capable of hitting targets in both China and Russia from the Philippines. The SM-6 missiles it also carries can strike air or sea targets more than 200 km (165 miles) away. A platoon of about 20 soldiers from the army artillery regiment will train with the U.S. Army Pacific's First Multi-Domain Task Force in mid-February, Philippine army spokesperson Louie Dema-ala said. The exercise will focus on the "payload delivery system" and will highlight the system's capabilities, Dema-ala said, adding it would not include live-fire exercises. "As long as the MRC (mid-range capability) is here, we maximise its utilisation to train our personnel with these new technologies," Dema-ala told a media briefing. The Philippines last year expressed interest to acquire the launchers as part of its modernisation programme. Philippine military spokesperson Francel Margareth Padilla on Tuesday said preparations were underway for this year's annual Balikatan exercises, which are billed to be one of the biggest. Security engagements between the Philippines and treaty ally, the United States, have intensified in recent years, as both countries aim to counter what they see as an increasingly assertive China. Strong ties between the two are expected to continue under U.S. President Donald Trump, whose Secretary of State Marco Rubio last week reaffirmed Washington's "ironclad" commitment to the Philippines under their decades-old mutual defence treaty.
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Philippine soldiers to train on US Typhon missile system
MANILA (Reuters) - Philippine soldiers will train on the U.S. military's intermediate range missile system during unilateral army drills next month as part of preparations for bigger exercises with U.S. counterparts, a military official said on Tuesday. The Typhon missile system was deployed by U.S. forces to the Philippines in April last year as part of their Balikatan or "shoulder-to-shoulder" military exercises, and has since stayed in the country, angering China which has repeatedly called for its withdrawal. Reuters reported last week the launchers were redeployed to a new location in the Philippines, which officials decline to disclose. Tomahawk cruise missiles used in the launchers are capable of hitting targets in both China and Russia from the Philippines. The SM-6 missiles it also carries can strike air or sea targets more than 200 km (165 miles) away. A platoon of about 20 soldiers from the army artillery regiment will train with the U.S. Army Pacific's First Multi-Domain Task Force in mid-February, Philippine army spokesperson Louie Dema-ala said. The exercise will focus on the "payload delivery system" and will highlight the system's capabilities, Dema-ala said, adding it would not include live-fire exercises. "As long as the MRC (mid-range capability) is here, we maximise its utilisation to train our personnel with these new technologies," Dema-ala told a media briefing. The Philippines last year expressed interest to acquire the launchers as part of its modernisation programme. Philippine military spokesperson Francel Margareth Padilla on Tuesday said preparations were underway for this year's annual Balikatan exercises, which are billed to be one of the biggest. Security engagements between the Philippines and treaty ally, the United States, have intensified in recent years, as both countries aim to counter what they see as an increasingly assertive China. Strong ties between the two are expected to continue under U.S. President Donald Trump, whose Secretary of State Marco Rubio last week reaffirmed Washington's "ironclad" commitment to the Philippines under their decades-old mutual defence treaty.
Reuters
28-01-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
Philippine soldiers to train on US Typhon missile system
MANILA, Jan 28 (Reuters) - Philippine soldiers will train on the U.S. military's intermediate range missile system during unilateral army drills next month as part of preparations for bigger exercises with U.S. counterparts, a military official said on Tuesday. The Typhon missile system was deployed by U.S. forces to the Philippines in April last year as part of their Balikatan or "shoulder-to-shoulder" military exercises, and has since stayed in the country, angering China which has repeatedly called for its withdrawal. Reuters reported last week the launchers were redeployed to a new location in the Philippines, which officials decline to disclose. Tomahawk cruise missiles used in the launchers are capable of hitting targets in both China and Russia from the Philippines. The SM-6 missiles it also carries can strike air or sea targets more than 200 km (165 miles) away. A platoon of about 20 soldiers from the army artillery regiment will train with the U.S. Army Pacific's First Multi-Domain Task Force in mid-February, Philippine army spokesperson Louie Dema-ala said. The exercise will focus on the "payload delivery system" and will highlight the system's capabilities, Dema-ala said, adding it would not include live-fire exercises. "As long as the MRC (mid-range capability) is here, we maximise its utilisation to train our personnel with these new technologies," Dema-ala told a media briefing. The Philippines last year expressed interest to acquire the launchers as part of its modernisation programme. Philippine military spokesperson Francel Margareth Padilla on Tuesday said preparations were underway for this year's annual Balikatan exercises, which are billed to be one of the biggest. Security engagements between the Philippines and treaty ally, the United States, have intensified in recent years, as both countries aim to counter what they see as an increasingly assertive China. Strong ties between the two are expected to continue under U.S. President Donald Trump, whose Secretary of State Marco Rubio last week reaffirmed Washington's "ironclad" commitment to the Philippines under their decades-old mutual defence treaty.
