4 days ago
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Philippines says more US Typhon missiles ‘very welcome' despite China's warnings
The
Philippine army has signalled it would welcome additional US Typhon missile systems to accelerate troop training and strengthen deterrence, despite
Beijing 's repeated denunciations of the system as a destabilising force that risks fuelling tensions in the
South China Sea
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Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday, Philippine Army spokesman Colonel Louie Dema‑ala said the arrival of more Typhon launchers, which are also known as Medium Range Capability (MRC) systems, would 'be very welcome' because training on the advanced weapons system has been limited to only a few personnel thus far.
'Yes, any additional deployment of the MRC is very welcome to the Philippine Army as this will help us and fast track our training when it comes to new capabilities,' he told reporters.
He stressed, however, that no official decision had yet been made on any new deployment.
The first Typhon system arrived in the Philippines in April 2024 during joint US-Philippine exercises, marking its first overseas deployment. The ground-based launcher, capable of firing Tomahawk and SM-6 missiles with ranges of up to 2,000 kilometres, puts parts of the South China Sea, Taiwan Strait and even southern China within striking distance. The system remains stationed in northern Luzon for ongoing training.
Philippine and US soldiers conduct joint Mid-Range Capability (MRC) training during Exercise Salaknib in northern Luzon on June 27, 2024. Photo: US Army
The possibility of the Philippines' receiving more Typhon systems was first raised last month during a visit by foreign journalists to the US Indo-Pacific Command (IndoPacom) headquarters in Hawaii under Washington's Friends, Partners, Allies Programme for Journalists.
