The Philippine army announced Monday, December 23 that it was considering acquiring an American medium-range missile system in order to protect its maritime interests, a project immediately described as an “arms race” and a “provocation” by Beijing.
The arrival of medium-range missiles in the Philippines dates back to late April, when the US military deployed the Typhoon missile system to the Philippines as part of annual joint military exercises. Ultimately, Manila decided to keep this missile system in place despite criticism from Beijing. “It is planned to acquire it because we see its feasibility and functionality in our concept of implementing the defense of the archipelago,” Philippine Army Chief Lt. Gen. Roy Galido said during of a press conference. “I am happy to announce to our compatriots that your army is developing this capability in the interest of protecting our sovereignty,” he said, adding that the total number of weapons to be acquired would depend “economic” considerations.
Typically, it takes at least two years or more for the Philippine military to acquire a new weapons system from the planning stage, said Roy Galido, adding that the system had not yet been budgeted for. 2025. The “medium capacity” land-based missile launcher, developed by the American company Lockheed Martin for the US military, has a range of 480 kilometers, although a longer-range version is under development.
A provocative act according to Beijing
In June, Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun judged that the deployment of these missiles “seriously undermined regional security and stability”. China reiterated its opposition to this project on Monday, believing that it fuels an “arms race” in the region. The acquisition of this “offensive strategic weapon” is “a provocative and dangerous act aimed at […] create regional tensions and fuel geopolitical clashes,” said Mao Ning, spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, during a regular press briefing.
Relations between Manila and Beijing have become strained in recent months, notably with the increase in skirmishes around reefs in the South China Sea that the two countries are fighting over. The Philippines is one of the United States’ closest allies in Southeast Asia. Washington and Manila have been linked since 1951 by a mutual defense treaty.
Faced with pressure from China in the region, Taiwan is also trying to strengthen its military capabilities. At the beginning of December, the island received 38 Abrams tanks from the United States, out of 108 units ordered in 2019. Under the presidency of Joe Biden, the United States has strengthened its network of military alliances in the Indo-Pacific region to counter China, including in the event of a confrontation over Taiwan.