The U.S. military has relocated its Typhon launcher from Laoag Airfield in the Philippines to another location on Luzon Island. This missile system is capable of launching various types of long-range missiles. A senior official from the Philippine government confirmed the redeployment of the Typhon launcher, according to a report in navbharattimes. The system includes Tomahawk cruise missiles, which can strike targets in both China and Russia from the Philippines. Additionally, the SM-6 missiles in the launcher can hit aerial or maritime targets more than 200 kilometers (165 miles) away.
Why the Typhon system was relocated
According to a senior source in the Philippine government, this relocation will help assess how quickly and effectively the missile battery can be moved to a new firing position. The high mobility of the system is intended to protect the Typhon launcher from enemy counter-fire during conflicts. Jeffrey Lewis from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies noted that satellite images in recent weeks showed batteries and related equipment being loaded onto C-17 transport planes at Laoag International Airport.
Philippines displays Typhon system publicly
According to satellite imagery, the white rain covers previously concealing the Typhon equipment have been removed. The Typhon system is part of the US effort to assemble various anti-ship weapons across Asia. The Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) confirmed that the Typhon system had been “transferred within the Philippines,” but both INDOPACOM and the Philippine government declined to disclose the exact new location of the batteries.
US Military’s statement
INDOPACOM Commander Matthew Comer referred to Typhon by its formal name, Mid-Range Capability (MRC), stating, “The U.S. government has closely coordinated with the Philippine government on every aspect of the MRC deployment, including its location.” He clarified that the transfer does not imply the batteries will remain permanently stationed in the Philippines.
Strong reaction by China
China sharply criticized the deployment of this weapon system when it was first stationed during a training exercise in April 2024. In September, when the U.S. announced it had no immediate plans to withdraw Typhon from the Philippines, both China and Russia condemned the move, accusing it of escalating an arms race. On Thursday, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs accused the Philippines of creating tensions and confrontations in the region, urging them to “correct their erroneous practices.” Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated during a regular news briefing, “(The deployment) is an extremely irresponsible choice, not only for the people of the country but also for other Southeast Asian nations and regional security.”
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