Philippine soldiers prepare to master the US Typhon missile system as China closely monitors the situation in the South China Sea.
At a Glance
- Philippine soldiers to begin training on US Typhon missile system in February
- China opposes US military assistance to the Philippines, warning of increased tensions
- Training focuses on “payload delivery system” without live-fire exercises
- Philippines interested in procuring Typhon system to modernize defense forces
- US reaffirms commitment to Philippines under mutual defense treaty
Philippines Enhances Maritime Defense Capabilities
The Philippines is set to bolster its maritime defense capabilities by commencing training on the US Typhon missile system. This development comes as part of the strengthening military cooperation between the Philippines and the United States, amid ongoing tensions with China in the South China Sea. The training, scheduled to begin in February, will involve a platoon of nearly 20 Philippine soldiers working alongside the US Army Pacific’s First Multi-Domain Task Force.
Colonel Louie Dema-ala, the Philippine Army Spokesman, provided details on the upcoming training.
“A new platoon from the Philippines’ Army Artillery Regiment will receive ‘orientation and familiarization’ training on the system, starting in the second or third week of February,” Dema-ala said during a press conference.
He further explained, “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.”
Typhon System Capabilities and Strategic Implications
The Typhon missile system, which includes Tomahawk cruise missiles and SM-6 missiles, significantly enhances the Philippines’ defensive capabilities. Tomahawk missiles can reach targets in China and Russia, while SM-6 missiles can strike air or sea targets over 200 kilometers away. Importantly, the system can protect vessels up to 370 kilometers off the coast, aligning with the Philippines’ maritime entitlement under international law.
“As long as the MRC (mid-range capability) is here, we maximize its utilization to train our personnel with these new technologies,” Colonel Dema-ala stated.
The training will reportedly focus on the “payload delivery system” and showcase the system’s capabilities, although no live-fire exercises are planned. The mobility of the system will also be tested, with the exact location of the training undisclosed for security reasons.
China’s Opposition and Regional Tensions
The deployment of the Typhon system and the associated training have not gone unnoticed by China, which views these developments as a potential threat to regional stability. The Chinese government has expressed strong opposition to US military assistance to the Philippines, warning of intensified geopolitical confrontation and a potential arms race in the region.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning voiced concerns about the situation, stating, “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.”
Despite these objections, the Philippines remains committed to modernizing its defense forces and securing its maritime interests. The country’s interest in procuring the Typhon missile system launchers underscores its determination to enhance its military capabilities in the face of regional challenges.
The training on the Typhon system is part of the broader context of intensifying security cooperation between the Philippines and the United States. This collaboration aims to counter China’s assertiveness in the region, particularly in the disputed waters of the South China Sea.
The US has reaffirmed its commitment to the Philippines under their mutual defense treaty, with Senator Marco Rubio describing the commitment as “ironclad.” This assurance comes as both nations prepare for this year’s Balikatan exercises, which are expected to be one of the largest joint military drills to date.