Philippine military says US missile deployment will boost preparedness and regional security

The Philippine armed forces announced on Friday that the deployment of U.S. military Typhon missile launchers in the country aligns with Washington’s enduring defense partnership with the Philippines.

According to armed forces spokesperson Francel Margareth Padilla, the main goal of this deployment is to enhance the readiness of the Philippine military, facilitate better understanding and interoperability with advanced weapon systems, and bolster regional security.

Padilla’s comments followed a Reuters report indicating that the U.S. military has relocated the mid-range capable launchers to a different site within the Philippines.

The initial deployment of these weapons in April 2024 during military exercises prompted strong criticism from China, which accused the Philippines of escalating tensions in the region. On Thursday, Beijing urged the Philippines to “correct its wrong practices.”

Padilla emphasized that the United States and the Philippines, as treaty allies, “coordinate closely on all aspects of the MRC deployment, including its positioning.”

The Typhon launchers are capable of firing various missiles, including Tomahawk cruise missiles, which can reach targets in both China and Russia from Philippine territory. Additionally, the SM-6 missiles they carry can engage air or sea targets over 200 kilometers (165 miles) away.