AFP welcomes potential US Typhon missile deployment

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) welcomes reports of a potential deployment of additional US Medium Range Capability (MRC) Typhon missile systems to the country.

AFP spokesperson Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla stated that the presence of more assets allows for enhanced training opportunities for personnel, echoing the sentiment 'the more, the merrier'.

She noted that the report on the deployment came from the US Indo-Pacific Command.

Philippine Army spokesperson Colonel Louie Dema-ala also emphasized that additional Typhon units would significantly aid in training soldiers to handle such weapon systems.

According to a Defense News report, the US Army's 3rd Multidomain Task Force unit is preparing its Typhon battery for deployment in the Pacific theater within the next year.

This would mark the second Typhon missile system deployment to the region, with the first occurring in April 2024 during the Salaknib and Balikatan exercises.

Philippine Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad stated that they welcome all opportunities to train with modern weaponry and that the defense posture of the Republic of the Philippines is not designed against any other country.

The previous deployment of the Typhon missile system had drawn criticism from China, which claimed it would escalate regional tensions.