On Monday, the US Indo-Pacific Command announced the successful deployment of a new missile launch system on the northern part of Luzon Island in the Philippines. This marks the first appearance of the system in the first island chain and significantly enhances deterrence against the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
The new launch system, known as the Mid-Range Capability (MRC) land-based launch system or the Typhon Weapons System, was designed by Lockheed Martin. It utilizes the Navy’s Mark 41 vertical launch system, modified for land-based operations to enhance firepower across multiple domains.
The Typhon system is capable of launching the Standard Missile 6 (SM-6) anti-aircraft missile and the Tomahawk cruise missile, serving as a core capability of the US Army’s new Multi-Domain Task Force (MDTF). The establishment of this force is in response to the broad threats posed by the CCP and Russia.
Luzon Island is located approximately 250 miles south of Taiwan. By deploying the Typhon system in the northern part of the island, its firepower radius covers not only the entire Taiwan Strait and the Luzon Strait but also reaches important coastal cities in China such as Shanghai and Guangzhou, as well as various People’s Liberation Army bases in the South China Sea. This deployment also marks the first appearance of the Typhon system in the Indo-Pacific region.
The new Standard Missile 6 has a range exceeding 240 kilometers, while the subsonic Tomahawk cruise missile can target objects over 2,500 kilometers away.
The US Indo-Pacific Command stated that the deployment of this system in the Philippines is part of the joint military exercise “Salaknib 24” conducted by the US Indo-Pacific Command, the US Army Pacific, and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
The Typhon artillery battery includes four launchers, a land-based command center, and related logistical vehicles. It is assigned to the Long Range Fires Battalion of the MDTF, significantly enhancing the US military’s capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region.
In recent years, there have been several gray zone conflicts between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea. The Chinese Coast Guard has frequently used water cannons to attack Philippine supply ships. In October last year, Chinese and Philippine naval vessels even faced off in the South China Sea, attracting international attention.
These incidents have prompted the Philippines to increase joint military exercises with the US and actively engage in security cooperation with other countries.
Last summer, the then Philippine Army Commander Romeo Brawner announced the purchase of the US HIMARS missile system to strengthen territorial defense capabilities.
Following the deployment of the Typhon system, the commander of the US Army’s first Multi-Domain Task Force, Bernard Harrington, stated, “This is an important step in our partnership with the Philippines, our oldest treaty ally in the region. We appreciate the cooperation of our partners in the Armed Forces of the Philippines and are pleased to expand our security cooperation by bringing this new capability to Luzon Island.”
The US Army stated, “The purpose of deploying the MRC is to enhance the maritime defense capabilities of the Philippines, while strengthening interoperability and readiness within the US-Philippine alliance.”