The US State Department spokesperson said on Saturday (February 15) that the long-standing US-Philippine military exercises are “purely defensive” and aimed at maintaining troop readiness and preserving regional security.
According to Reuters, the spokesperson responded to comments from the Chinese Ministry of National Defense on Friday urging Manila to withdraw the US Typhon mid-range missile.
The Typhon missile launcher is part of the US plan to accumulate anti-ship weapons in the Asian region, capable of launching multi-purpose missiles with a range of several thousand kilometers.
The US State Department spokesperson stated that the temporary deployment of US missile capabilities in the Philippines is in response to growing threats, with the aim of maintaining troop readiness and preserving regional security and stability for all countries.
“These US systems are designed only for conventional weapons and are not intended for carrying nuclear warheads,” the spokesperson emphasized.
Furthermore, the spokesperson pointed out that Beijing has deployed mid-range and intermediate-range ballistic missiles with a range of up to 3,000 kilometers, and has dual-use missiles with a range of up to 5,000 kilometers that can carry both nuclear and conventional weapons, with China continuing to develop and deploy more similar systems.
The Chinese Ministry of National Defense accused the Philippines of introducing the Typhon missile system, calling it a “strategic offensive weapon,” and accusing the Philippines of violating commitments. However, the Philippines responded by stating that the Typhon missile system is used solely for defense and that the Philippines has never promised to withdraw the system.
It is reported that this launch system can carry Tomahawk cruise missiles, with a range from within the Philippines to target areas inside China or Russia; at the same time, it can also carry SM-6 missiles for air-to-air or sea-based combat, with a range of over 200 kilometers.
The ongoing tensions and differing perspectives between the US, China, and the Philippines regarding military capabilities and intentions in the region highlight the complex geopolitical dynamics at play in the Asia-Pacific region. This situation underscores the importance of open communication and diplomacy in addressing security concerns and ensuring regional stability.