Philippine army wants to buy Typhon system, China slams ‘extremely irresponsible choice’
The Typhon missile system has raised tensions between Manila and Beijing after its deployment in US-Philippine military drills
The Philippine army said on Monday that it planned to acquire the Typhon missile system as the weapon could be deployed to expand the country’s defence perimeter, even as concerns linger over its modernisation programme being weighed down by budget cuts.
Lieutenant General Roy Galido, the army’s commanding general, confirmed the plan during his year-end media briefing.
The decision arose after the Typhon was adapted from a ship-based to a land-based platform and tested during the Balikatan multilateral military exercises from April to May this year, Galido said.
“There are negotiations [to acquire the Typhon] because we see its visibility and adaptability,” he added
The use of defence platforms such as the Typhon would be in line with the army’s role in the country’s new Comprehensive Archipelagic Defence (CAD) strategy, which calls for a shift towards protecting the Philippines’ maritime borders, according to Galido.
He said the Typhon could help protect the country’s “floating assets” of up to 200 nautical miles (370.4km) from the country’s shores within its exclusive economic zone.
