China has criticized the move, warning that the Philippines risks an “arms race” amid increasing militarization in the South China Sea.
The Philippines has announced plans to buy the United States’ Typhon missile system, prompting China to warn of a looming “arms race” in the Asia-Pacific region.
Philippine military chief Lt. Gen. Roy Galido said Monday that the country would acquire the medium-range missile system already in service US Army on its territory for annual joint military exercises “in the interest of protecting our sovereignty”.
China, which claims almost all of the country South China Sea in defiance of international law and has deployed its navy and coast guard in escalating confrontations over disputed reefs and waters, condemned the decision as a “provocative and dangerous move.”
“It is an extremely irresponsible decision for the history of our own people and the people of Southeast Asia as well as for regional security,” said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning.
The region needs “peace and prosperity, not missiles and confrontation,” she added.
Galido said the purchase is not yet scheduled for 2025. It will likely take two or more years for the military to complete the purchase of the new weapons system.
“Project force”
The land-based Typhon missile launcher, developed by US firm Lockheed Martin for the US military, has a range of 480 km (300 miles), but a longer-range version is in development.
Galido said the Typhon system would allow the army to project “forces” outward up to 370 km (200 nautical miles), which is the limit of the archipelago’s maritime claims under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Typhon would, he said, “protect our floating assets,” a reference to ships from the Philippine Navy, Coast Guard and other vessels.
Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun warned in June that the U.S. Army’s use of Typhon earlier this year “significantly harms regional security and stability.”
Galido dismissed the criticism, saying his country “should not be bothered by the apparent insecurity of others because we do not intend to go beyond the interests of our country.”
