MANILA: China has warned of a local “arms culture,” prompting the Philippines to announce on Monday that it intends to buy the US Typhon weapon system as part of a drive to protect its maritime interests.
In spite of Beijing’s objections that the mid-range missile system was destabilizing Asia, the US Army decided to leave it in the north Philippines earlier this year for monthly joint military exercises with its long-ag neighbor.
The weapon method had been “acquired because we see its viability and its features in our idea of coastal defense implementation,” according to Philippine Army Chief Lieutenant-General Roy Galido at a press conference on Monday.
According to him,” I’m happy to report to our brother people that your army is developing this capability in order to defend our sovereignty,” adding that “economics” would determine the total cost of the consolidation.
Beijing, whose army and beach watch have been engaged in escalating clashes with the Philippines in recent months over disputed islands and lakes in the South China Sea, was upset by the US weapon launcher’s appearance.
Beijing asserts that nearly the full South China Sea, despite a global ruling that disproves its claim without any legal justification.
Since Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos took company in 2022, Manila and Washington, who have long-standing agreement friends, have expanded their defense assistance.
China quickly criticized the purchase of the program as a “provocative and dangerous shift” and warned that it could lead to an “arms race” on Monday.
According to foreign department spokesperson Mao Ning, it is an “extremely careless option” for the background of its own citizens and the people of Southeast Asia, as well as for regional stability.
” The area needs peace and prosperity, not weapons and fight”, she added, urging Manila to” proper its wrong procedures as soon as possible”.
According to Galido, it typically takes at least two or more years for the Spanish defense to complete the planning phase of a new arms system, adding that it hasn’t been budgeted for 2025.
He added that it took five times for Manila to taking delivery of the BrahMos cruise missile next year.
‘ Project power ‘
The land-based “mid-range capability” Typhon missile launcher, developed by US firm Lockheed Martin for the US Army, has a range of 300 miles ( 480 kilometres ), though a longer-range version is in development.
According to Galido, the Typhon system will allow the army to “project force” outwards up to 200 nautical miles ( 370 kilometers ), which is the archipelago nation’s legal distance from the sea under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
He said,” You have to take note of the fact that the army cannot travel there because there is no land there at 200 nautical miles.”
The Existing platform” will defend our floating assets”, he said, a guide to ships of the Philippine navy, coast guard and another vessels.
Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun warned in June that the Typhon deployment was” severely damaging regional security and stability.”
Galido, however, refrained from criticizing the Philippines ‘ Typhon system.
” We should not be bothered by others ‘ seeming insecurities because we don’t have any plans to go outside of our country’s interests”, he said.
