Philippines to Acquire US Typhon Missile System for Maritime Defense Amid China Tensions

Dec 23, 2024, 05:44 AM

The Philippine military has announced plans to acquire the US Typhon missile system to enhance its maritime defense capabilities, amidst tensions with China over overlapping maritime interests in the South China Sea. The system, which has a range of 480 kilometers (300 miles), was previously deployed by the US Army in the Philippines for joint military exercises and left there despite Beijing's objections. Philippine Army chief Lieutenant-General Roy Galido stated that the acquisition is part of a strategy to protect the country's sovereignty and is expected to take at least two years to complete, with no budget allocated for it in 2025. The Typhon system would enable the army to 'project force' outwards up to 200 nautical miles, which is the limit of the archipelago nation's maritime entitlements. China has criticized the move as a 'provocation' and accused the Philippines of fueling an arms race in the region, with Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun warning that the deployment was 'severely damaging regional security and stability'.