 "What is the US Typhon missile system in the Philippines that has alarmed China?")
The recent deployment of the US Army’s Typhon missile system in the Philippines has triggered strong objections from China, highlighting the escalating military tensions in the Indo-Pacific region.
The Typhon system, capable of launching Tomahawk land-attack cruise missiles and SM-6 air-defence missiles, has significantly altered the strategic balance in the area.
With the missile system positioned in northern Luzon, its range extends to much of the South China Sea, Taiwan, and parts of mainland China, further exacerbating Beijing’s security concerns.
Despite China’s vocal opposition and calls for the system’s removal, US and Philippine officials have defended the deployment, citing the need for enhanced deterrence capabilities amid growing geopolitical tensions.
While the US Army has stated that it will not conduct live-fire tests of the Typhon system during upcoming joint military exercises in the Philippines, the system remains a focal point of strategic discussions in the region, reported The South China Morning Post.
The controversy surrounding the Typhon deployment underscores broader power struggles between the United States and China, with implications for regional security and alliances.
What is the Typhon missile system
The Typhon missile system, developed by Lockheed Martin under the US Army’s Long Range Precision Fires programme, is designed to fill the gap between the Army’s Precision Strike Missile and the Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon system.
It is capable of firing two types of missiles: the Tomahawk cruise missile, with a range of approximately 2,000 km (1,240 miles), and the SM-6, which can target enemy ships, aircraft, and incoming missiles.
The system was first deployed to the Philippines as part of the Salaknib 2024 joint military exercises between the US and Philippine forces.
It was transported via a US Air Force C-17 Globemaster to an airfield in northern Luzon, where it was integrated into military drills. While the system has not been used in live-fire exercises, Philippine troops have received training on its operation and maintenance.
The deployment marks the first time since the Cold War that the US has positioned a land-based missile launcher with such an extended range outside its own territory, reported The Wall Street Journal.
The move is part of a broader US military strategy aimed at countering China’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific and reinforcing security partnerships with allies in the region. Philippine officials have also expressed interest in acquiring the Typhon system for their own military.
Why China is worried
China has repeatedly condemned the deployment, arguing that the Typhon system represents an offensive capability that escalates tensions in the region. The Chinese Ministry of Defence has warned of “resolute countermeasures” and accused the US and the Philippines of fueling an arms race.
Beijing has called for the immediate withdrawal of the system, asserting that its presence undermines regional stability and threatens China’s security interests.
The Typhon deployment comes amid ongoing maritime disputes between China and the Philippines over contested territories in the South China Sea.
China claims sovereignty over nearly the entire South China Sea, a stance that has been challenged by several Southeast Asian nations, including the Philippines, Vietnam, and Malaysia. The region is of critical strategic importance, as it facilitates nearly one-third of global maritime trade.
Chinese and Philippine naval forces have engaged in multiple stand-offs in disputed waters, with recent incidents involving water cannon confrontations and vessel collisions. The US has strongly criticised China’s “aggressive and coercive behaviours” in the region and has increased military cooperation with the Philippines in response.
What the US has in mind
The deployment of the Typhon system is a key component of the US military’s evolving Indo-Pacific strategy. Washington has been shifting its defence posture toward a more dispersed and resilient force structure, reducing reliance on large, centralised bases and instead deploying mobile, land-based missile systems across the region.
This approach aims to enhance deterrence capabilities against China while strengthening partnerships with allies such as the Philippines, Japan, and Australia.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth is scheduled to visit the Philippines to discuss defence cooperation with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr and Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro. His visit is expected to address China’s assertive actions in the South China Sea and explore ways to bolster Philippine security forces.
Japan, another key US ally, has been closely monitoring the situation but has not yet agreed to host similar missile deployments.
However, discussions between US and Japanese defence officials suggest that future deployments could be considered as part of broader regional security efforts.
Why Typhon system is necessary
The deployment of the Typhon system in the Philippines is seen as a strategic move to counterbalance China’s expanding military capabilities. Beijing has been rapidly modernising its armed forces, developing advanced hypersonic missiles, and expanding its naval presence.
China’s recent construction of a new submarine in Wuhan, reportedly equipped with hypersonic missiles, has added another layer of complexity to the regional security landscape.
The US withdrawal from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty in 2019 has enabled Washington to develop and deploy new intermediate-range missile systems, including the Typhon.
Unlike ship-based missile platforms, land-based systems like the Typhon are harder to detect and neutralise early in a conflict, making them a valuable asset in military planning.
Despite US assurances that the deployment is defensive in nature, some analysts warn that the presence of such missile systems in close proximity to China increases the risk of escalation.
Jennifer Kavanagh, director of military analysis at Defense Priorities, has cautioned that the mere presence of the Typhon system could heighten tensions and potentially lead to unintended conflict, reported The Wall Street Journal.
The Trump administration has signalled its commitment to strengthening US military presence in the Indo-Pacific, with Defence Secretary Hegseth stating the importance of power projection.
However, concerns remain about the broader implications of such deployments. Some experts argue that moving powerful US missile systems closer to China could trigger an arms race and increase the likelihood of military confrontations.
Others suggest that the Typhon system could serve as a bargaining chip in future diplomatic negotiations between the US and China, particularly in discussions related to regional security and military presence.
In the Philippines, President Marcos Jr. has indicated that he would be open to removing the Typhon system if China ceased its assertive actions in the South China Sea.
However, with tensions continuing to rise and no immediate resolution in sight, the missile system remains a central element of the evolving geopolitical dynamics in the Indo-Pacific.
With inputs from agencies
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