Latest news with #USPhilippines
South China Morning Post
3 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 Advertisement 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.
NHK
21-05-2025
- Politics
- NHK
China, US exchange barbs over South China Sea at UNSC
China and the United States have traded accusations over their respective actions in the South China Sea at a UN Security Council meeting on maritime security. At the gathering in the UN headquarters in New York on Tuesday, acting US representative, Ambassador Dorothy Shea, spoke about the dispute between China and the Philippines over territorial rights to a part of the sea. Shea said: "The United States stands with the Philippines. Once again, we condemn China's dangerous and unlawful actions in the South China Sea." China's deputy ambassador to the UN, Geng Shuang, accused the US of sending military vessels to the area under the pretext of the freedom of navigation, but with the real intent "to flex its muscles and stir up the confrontation." Shuang said the situation in the South China Sea remains generally stable, and that Beijing is confident it can make the body of water "a sea of peace, a sea of friendship and a sea of cooperation." The US and Philippine militaries staged a series of joint maritime drills in the area from late April through early this month. The countries have been increasing pressure on China in response to Beijing's growing assertiveness in the South China Sea and around Taiwan.
