Thu Sep 19 04:27:00 UTC 2024: ## US Keeps Missile System Capable of Striking China in Philippines Amid Tensions
**MANILA** – Despite Chinese demands for its withdrawal, the United States has no immediate plans to remove a mid-range missile system deployed in the Philippines. The Typhon system, capable of launching missiles that can reach Chinese targets, was brought in for joint exercises earlier this year and remains in place.
The deployment, which has not been previously reported in detail, comes as tensions rise between China and the Philippines over disputed territories in the South China Sea. The US, a treaty ally of the Philippines, views the Southeast Asian archipelago as a crucial strategic location in the Indo-Pacific region and a potential staging ground for military assistance to Taiwan in the event of a Chinese attack.
Philippine and US forces have been conducting training exercises with the Typhon system, which is located in northern Luzon, facing both the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait. While the joint exercises are scheduled to end this month, sources say the system could remain in the Philippines beyond September.
Both the US and the Philippines are reportedly testing the feasibility of using the Typhon system in a regional conflict. A senior Philippine government official, speaking anonymously, said the system is being assessed for its suitability for deployment in the country, potentially allowing for a rapid response if needed.
The Typhon system, capable of launching missiles like SM-6 and Tomahawks with a range exceeding 1,600 kilometers, was first deployed in the Philippines in April, marking a significant escalation of US military presence in the region.
China has condemned the deployment, accusing the US and the Philippines of fueling an arms race and increasing the risk of war. Russia has also expressed concerns, citing the deployment as a reason to resume production of intermediate- and shorter-range nuclear-capable missiles.
Despite these concerns, Philippine officials have assured China that the presence of the Typhon system does not pose a threat and will not destabilize the region.
The continued presence of the Typhon system in the Philippines underscores the growing strategic competition between the US and China in the Indo-Pacific region. As tensions over territorial claims and military activities escalate, the US is bolstering its military capabilities in the region, raising concerns about a potential escalation of conflict.
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