Phl Army to acquire US Typhon missile system

The Philippine military plans to acquire the US Typhon missile system to protect the country's maritime interests, some of which overlap with regional power China.

- By JANVIC MATEO

"It is planned to be acquired because we see its feasibility and its functionality in our concept of archipelagic defense implementation," Philippine Army chief Lt. Gen. Roy Galido told a news conference yesterday.

"I'm happy to report to our fellow countrymen that your Army is developing this capability for the interest of protecting our sovereignty," he said, adding that the total number to be acquired would depend on "economics."

The US Army deployed the mid-range missile system in the northern Philippines earlier this year for annual joint military exercises with its longtime ally, and decided to leave it there despite criticism by Beijing that it was destabilizing to Asia.

Since then, the Typhon has been used by Philippine forces to train for its operation.

The presence of the US missile launcher in the northern Philippines had angered Beijing, whose navy and coast guard forces have engaged in escalating confrontations in recent months with the Philippines over disputed reefs and waters in the South China Sea.

Beijing swiftly condemned the decision to acquire the system as a "provocative and dangerous move” and warned it risked triggering an “arms race.”