The Chinese Communist Party’s provocations continue, with the Philippine Defense Minister revealing that the country plans to purchase medium-range missile launchers from the United States. In recent times, conflicts between China and the Philippines have occurred frequently in the South China Sea.
Philippine Defense Minister Gilberto Teodoro stated in an interview with the Financial Times: “We do intend to acquire this military capability. We have the right to possess such military capabilities on our own territory, and we will not compromise on this.”
In April of this year, during joint military exercises between the United States and the Philippines, the U.S. military brought these medium-range missile launchers named “Typhoon” to the Philippines. Since then, these launchers have remained in the Philippines, and the Philippine military continues to practice using them.
This marks the first deployment of medium-range missile systems in the Philippines by the United States since the collapse of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty in 2019. The treaty prohibited the development or deployment of any nuclear or conventional missile system with a range between 500 to 5,500 kilometers by the United States and Russia.
At that time, China expressed dissatisfaction with the initial deployment and its extension, labeling it as “provocative” and destabilizing.
Teodoro mentioned that these medium-range missile launchers will supplement the BrahMos supersonic anti-ship missiles acquired by the country from India, which have a range of 200 to 300 kilometers.
The Philippines is the longest-standing military ally of the United States in Asia. Since President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. took office in 2022, he has revitalized defense cooperation with Washington and plans to modernize its military and defense.
Marcos aims to enhance the Philippine Armed Forces’ capabilities in detecting and deterring threats, with the purchase of medium-range missile launchers being part of the plan.
The Philippine government has tripled its military budget and intends to construct new naval and air force bases. One of these bases is located on the west coast of Luzon Island, facing the disputed South China Sea. The country also seeks to strengthen defense on the eastern coast, which is crucial for U.S. submarines and supply lines, as China’s military activities in these regions are increasing.
The Philippines and China have long-standing disputes over sovereignty in the South China Sea. Previously, China rejected the ruling made by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague in 2016. The ruling deemed China’s extensive maritime claims in the South China Sea to lack legal basis. The case was filed by the Philippines.
(This article referenced reporting from the Financial Times)