Philippines Planning To Start Training on US Typhon Missile System

The Philippines is set to bolster its defense capabilities with advanced U.S. missile training amid ongoing scrutiny from China.

Key Takeaways

Philippine soldiers will train on the U.S. Typhon missile system in February amid South China Sea tensions.
The training is part of the annual Salaknib joint exercise between the Philippines and U.S. armies.
China opposes U.S. military assistance to the Philippines, and has warned of an intensified geopolitical confrontation.
The Typhon system can protect vessels up to 370 kilometers off the coast, aligning with Philippine maritime entitlements.
The Philippines is interested in procuring Typhon missile system launchers to modernize its defense forces.

Philippines Strengthens Defense with US Missile Training

In a move to enhance its maritime security, the Philippines is set to train its soldiers on the U.S. Typhon missile system this February. This strategic initiative comes as part of the annual Salaknib joint exercise between the Philippine and U.S. armies, aimed at strengthening military cooperation amid ongoing tensions with China in the South China Sea.

A platoon of nearly 20 Philippine soldiers from the Army Artillery Regiment will receive training from the US Army Pacific’s First Multi-Domain Task Force. The focus will be on the “payload delivery system” and highlighting the system’s capabilities, though no live-fire exercises are planned.

NEW – Philippines to train with US Typhon missile system next monthhttps://t.co/2aCW6oRBsE

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Typhon System Capabilities and Strategic Importance

The Typhon missile system is a formidable addition to the Philippines’ defense arsenal. It includes Tomahawk cruise missiles capable of reaching targets in China and Russia, as well as SM-6 missiles that can strike air or sea targets over 200 km away. Importantly, the system can protect vessels up to 370 kilometers off the coast, aligning with the Philippines’ maritime entitlement under international law.

The Philippines’ interest in procuring Typhon missile system launchers signifies a clear intent to modernize its defense forces and secure its maritime interests. This development is particularly significant given the ongoing territorial disputes in the South China Sea and China’s increasing assertiveness in the region.

China’s Opposition and Regional Tensions

China has expressed strong opposition to U.S. military assistance to the Philippines, warning of intensified geopolitical confrontation and a potential arms race in the region. The deployment of the Typhon midrange missile system in the northern Philippines during joint exercises last April, and its subsequent retention, has further strained relations between Beijing and Manila.

“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,” Chinese foreign defense ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated.

Despite China’s criticism, the U.S. has reaffirmed its commitment to the Philippines under their mutual defense treaty.

Future Implications and Regional Security

The training on the Typhon missile system is part of a broader trend of intensified security cooperation between the Philippines and the United States. This collaboration aims to counter China’s assertiveness in the South China Sea and maintain regional stability. As preparations continue for this year’s Balikatan exercises, expected to be one of the largest yet, the strategic importance of the Philippines in the Indo-Pacific region becomes increasingly evident.

While the exact location of the Typhon system training remains undisclosed, its mobility will be tested during the exercises. This development marks a significant step in the Philippines’ efforts to strengthen its defensive capabilities and assert its sovereignty in disputed waters, potentially reshaping the balance of power in the South China Sea.