The Philippines has announced its intention to purchase the United States’ Typhon missile system, a move that has drawn sharp criticism from China and fueled concerns about an escalating arms race in the Asia-Pacific region, Al Jazeera reports.
Philippine military chief Lieutenant-General Roy Galido confirmed on Monday that the country plans to acquire the mid-range missile system, citing the need to “protect our sovereignty.” The Typhon system, which has been previously deployed by the US army in the Philippines for joint military exercises, is seen as a crucial component in bolstering the nation’s defense capabilities.
China, which claims vast swaths of the South China Sea, has responded with strong condemnation. A spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mao Ning, labeled the decision as “a provocative and dangerous move,” arguing that it was “an extremely irresponsible choice for the history of its own people and the people of Southeast Asia, as well as for regional security.” Mao insisted the region needed “peace and prosperity, not missiles and confrontation.”
The acquisition process is still in its early stages, with Galido noting that the purchase has not been included in the 2025 budget. He anticipates that it will take two or more years for the military to complete the acquisition of the new weapons system.
The land-based Typhon missile launcher, developed by US firm Lockheed Martin, has a current range of 480km (300 miles). However, the Philippines intends to use the system to “project force” outwards up to 370km (200 nautical miles), which corresponds with the extent of the nation’s maritime entitlements under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. According to Galido, this will allow them to effectively “protect our floating assets,” such as ships of the Philippine navy, coastguard, and other vessels operating in the region.
This development follows previous warnings from Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun, who in June stated that the deployment of Typhon by the US earlier in the year was “severely damaging regional security and stability.”
Despite China’s concerns, Galido dismissed the criticism, stating that the Philippines “should not be bothered by others’ seeming insecurities because we don’t have any plans to go outside of our country’s interests.” He emphasized that the acquisition is purely for defensive purposes and within the bounds of the country’s territorial rights.
The planned purchase is the latest indication of growing tensions in the South China Sea, as the Philippines and other nations in the region seek to strengthen their defenses against China’s assertive maritime claims.
