The military chief of the Philippines has expressed a strong desire for the U.S. Typhon missile system to be stationed in the country “forever.”
General Romeo Brawner Jr. mentioned he has requested American military officials to maintain the missile system on Philippine soil.
China has voiced concerns about the missile system’s presence, warning it may lead to regional instability.
“If it were up to me, I would want the Typhon here permanently because it’s crucial for our defense,” Brawner stated during a press briefing.
Aaron Favila/AP
On Wednesday, two Philippine officials disclosed that the U.S. missile system in the north will remain indefinitely to strengthen defense deterrence.
They spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the U.S. missile deployment.
Currently, there is no official word from U.S. representatives.
In April, the U.S. Army integrated the Typhon system into joint military exercises with Philippine forces, assessing its deployability from Air Force aircraft.
The Typhon system is equipped to launch Standard Missile-6 and Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles, boasting a range exceeding 1,000 miles, which includes potential targets in China.
Officials are contemplating extending the system’s residency in the Philippines until at least next April, aligning with annual U.S.-Philippine military exercises known as Balikatan (“shoulder-to-shoulder”).
Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. refrained from commenting on the extension.
At a recent defense exhibition in Manila, Teodoro criticized China’s interference in Philippine affairs, saying, “China’s alarm signals are an invasion of our sovereignty.”
He urged China to engage in disarmament and respect territorial boundaries, remarking, “They shouldn’t criticize us when they have their own issues to address.”
China has previously condemned U.S. military maneuvers in the Asia-Pacific as disruptive to regional peace.
Speculation on the potential deployment of the Typhon system in Japan arose recently, following a visit from Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force to a U.S. military base.
Army Secretary Christine Wormuth indicated that any move depends on the pace set by the Japanese government.
Last week, a Chinese spokesperson expressed that Washington’s military strategies could exacerbate an arms race in the region.
This article incorporates information from The Associated Press