The South China Sea is about to become more militarised as the United States commits to deploying cutting-edge missile and drone systems in the Philippines.
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US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed the move during high-level talks with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr on Monday US time, signalling Washington’s push to create a “strong shield of real deterrence” against growing Chinese influence and prepare for potential crisis scenarios.
The new weapons would form part of a broader strategic effort to reinforce Manila’s role in regional security, Hegseth said at a meeting with Marcos at the Pentagon, ahead of the Philippine leader’s meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House.
“We’re deploying new cutting-edge missiles and unmanned systems, and revitalising our defence industrial bases. Together, we must forge a strong shield of real deterrence for peace, ensuring the long-term security and prosperity for our nations,” Hegseth told Marcos.
While the Pentagon did not specify which missile or drone platforms were involved, Hegseth stressed the moves were not intended to provoke confrontation. “But we are and will be ready and resolute. We’re proud to support our mutual economic vitality, including your efforts to modernise your armed forces and collective defence.”
Hegseth also reaffirmed US commitment to its decades-old treaty with Manila. The 1951 Mutual Defence Treaty, he said, covered attacks on “our armed forces, aircraft or public vessels, including our coastguards, anywhere in the Pacific, including the South China Sea”.