Philippines to Buy US Typhoon Missile System, Riling China

The Philippines military said Monday that it plans to acquire the U.S.-made Typhoon missile system, raising alarms in neighboring China.

The U.S. Army deployed the midrange missile system in northern Luzon in April for annual joint military exercises with its longtime ally and left it there despite criticism by Beijing that it was destabilizing to the region, the Manilla Times reported Monday. The Philippines military had been using the system to train.

"It is planned to be acquired because we see its feasibility and its functionality in our concept of archipelagic defense implementation," Philippines Army Chief Lt. Gen. Roy Galido told reporters, according to the Times. "I'm happy to report to our fellow countrymen that your army is developing this capability for the interest of protecting our sovereignty."

Galido also said the missile system will play a crucial role in defending the Philippines' exclusive economic zone. He added the number to be acquired would depend on "economics."

Lockheed said its Typhoon system is composed of launchers, missiles, and a battery operations center to address surface threats. The system has a range of 300 miles, firing SM-6 missiles and Tomahawk cruise missiles, though a longer-range version is in development that will feature hypersonic weapons.

Galido said the system would enable the Philippines' army to "project force" outward up to 200 nautical miles, which is the limit of the nation's maritime entitlements under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

"You have to take note of the fact that at 200 nautical miles, there is no land there and the army cannot go there," he said.

The presence of the missile system in the northern Philippines had angered China, whose navy and coast guard forces have engaged in escalating confrontations over the past few months with the Philippines over disputed reefs and waters in the South China Sea. Beijing claims almost the entire South China Sea as its territory despite an international ruling that its assertion has no legal basis.

China Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said Monday that Beijing has repeatedly voiced opposition on the U.S. deployment of midrange missiles in the Philippines, the Chinese state-run Global Times reported.

"I want to reiterate that the introduction by the Philippines of such a midrange missile system, which is both strategic and offensive, is a provocative and dangerous move in coordination with external forces to create regional tensions, incites geopolitical confrontation, and provokes an arms race," Mao said. "This is an extremely irresponsible decision for the people of the Philippines, Southeast Asian countries, the history, and regional security."

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