Philippines Announce Purchase of Typhoon Missile System to Bolster Maritime Defense Against China

Headline: Philippines Looks to Boost Maritime Defense with U.S. Typhon Missile System

In a move to bolster its maritime defense, the Philippine Army has announced its intention to acquire the U.S.-developed Typhon missile system. This strategic decision comes as the Philippines seeks to protect its interests in the China claim almost the entire South China Sea?”>South China Sea, where territorial disputes with China remain a contentious issue.

"Our intention is to acquire the Typhon system because we find it viable and functional within our archipelagic defense concept," stated Philippine Army Chief, Lieutenant General Roy Galido, during a press conference. He added that the exact quantity of units to be acquired depends on economic factors.

The Typhon system, a medium-range land-based mobile launcher manufactured by Lockheed Martin, has a range of 480 kilometers. It was initially deployed in the Philippines during U.S.-Philippine joint military exercises earlier this year, attracting criticism from China, which views it as a destabilizing factor in the region. However, the Philippine military has since integrated the system into its training operations.

Tensions have escalated in the South China Sea due to repeated encounters between Chinese maritime and coast guard vessels and their Philippine counterparts. China claims nearly the entire sea, despite an international tribunal ruling in 2016 that rejected Beijing’s expansive claims.

Chinese Defense Minister, Dong Jun, warned in June that the Typhon deployment "gravely damages security and stability in the region." Galido dismissed these concerns, asserting, "We should not be concerned about the apparent insecurities of others, as we have no plans to go beyond our national interests."

The Philippine Army hopes that the Typhon system will enable it to project force up to 200 nautical miles (370 kilometers), aligning with the Philippines’ maritime rights under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Galido emphasized that the acquisition is part of an ongoing effort to protect the country’s maritime and aerial assets.

Galido clarified that the process of acquiring new weapon systems typically takes at least two years, and the budget for the Typhon system is not included in the 2025 financial plan. The Philippine Army previously acquired BrahMos cruise missiles in 2021, following a five-year wait.

The Army chief expressed his enthusiasm about the acquisition, stating, "I am happy to inform our fellow Filipinos that our army is developing this capability to safeguard our sovereignty."

No immediate comment was provided by the Chinese Embassy in Manila when approached by AFP.