Philippines to purchase US Typhon missile system, China says ‘provocative transfer’

China slams transfer, warning that Philippines dangers ‘arms race’ amid elevated militarisation of South China Sea.

The Philippines has introduced plans to purchase the USA’ Typhon missile system, triggering China to warn of an impending “arms race” within the Asia Pacific area.

Philippine navy chief Lieutenant-Normal Roy Galido stated on Monday that the nation would purchase the mid-range missile system, already deployed by the US military on its territory for annual joint navy workouts, “for the curiosity of defending our sovereignty”.

China, which claims nearly all the South China Sea in defiance of worldwide regulation and has deployed its navy and coastguard in escalating confrontations over disputed reefs and waters, condemned the choice as a “provocative and harmful transfer”.

“It’s a particularly irresponsible selection for the historical past of its personal individuals and the individuals of Southeast Asia, in addition to for regional safety,” stated Chinese language Ministry of Overseas Affairs spokeswoman Mao Ning.

The area wanted “peace and prosperity, not missiles and confrontation”, she added.

Galido stated the acquisition had not but been budgeted for 2025. It’s anticipated to take two or extra years for the navy to finish its buy of the brand new weapons system.

‘Projecting pressure’

The land-based Typhon missile launcher, developed by US agency Lockheed Martin for the US navy, has a spread of 480km (300 miles), although a longer-range model is in growth.

Galido stated the Typhon system would allow the military to “venture pressure” outwards as much as 370km (200 nautical miles), which is the restrict of the archipelago nation’s maritime entitlements underneath the United Nations Conference on the Regulation of the Sea.

Typhon would, he stated, “defend our floating property”, a reference to ships of the Philippine navy, coastguard and different vessels.

Chinese language Protection Minister Dong Jun warned in June that the deployment of Typhon by the US military earlier this yr was “severely damaging regional safety and stability”.

Galido dismissed the criticism, saying his nation “shouldn’t be bothered by others’ seeming insecurities as a result of we don’t have any plans to go exterior of our nation’s pursuits”.