Philippine soldiers will train on the US military’s intermediate range missile system during unilateral army drills next month as part of preparations for bigger exercises with US counterparts, a military official said on Tuesday.
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The Typhon missile system was deployed by US forces to the Philippines in April last year as part of their Balikatan or “shoulder to shoulder” military exercises, and has since stayed in the country, angering China which has repeatedly called for its withdrawal. Reuters reported last week the launchers were redeployed to a new location in the Philippines, which officials decline to disclose.
Tomahawk cruise missiles used in the launchers are capable of hitting targets in both China and Russia from the Philippines. The SM-6 missiles it also carries can strike air or sea targets more than 200km (165 miles) away.
A platoon of about 20 soldiers from the army artillery regiment will train with the US Army Pacific’s First Multi-Domain Task Force in mid-February, Philippine army spokesperson Louie Dema-ala said.
The exercise will focus on the “payload delivery system” and will highlight the system’s capabilities, Dema-ala said, adding it would not include live-fire exercises.
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