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US recalls potent midrange missiles from Philippines used in South China Sea drills
- China has repeatedly criticised the missiles being deployed to the Philippines. No reason was given as to why the US stopped the deployment
A powerful midrange US missile system that Washington has deployed to the Philippines will be returned to the United States in September, according to a Philippine military spokesman.
The missile system was deployed to a northern Philippine province in April for a joint military exercise that ended in June. It was also used for a simulated firing drill during a bilateral exercise in the South China Sea in May.
Colonel Louie Dema-ala of the Philippine Army said on Tuesday the missile system will be returned to the US once other defence equipment used in the two exercises is shipped back. No reason was given as to why Washington has stopped the deployment.
A US Typhon Weapon System, which is capable of firing SM-6 anti-aircraft missiles and Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles – with operational ranges of more than 240km (150 miles) and 2,500km, respectively – was deployed to the Philippines for use in the annual Balikatan joint military exercises with the US.
China, which is intensifying its sweeping territorial claims in the South China Sea and provocative activities in the waters especially against Philippine vessels, has repeatedly criticised the missile deployment.
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Defence ministers from China and US meet on sidelines of Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore
Defence ministers from China and US meet on sidelines of Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore
Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun said in a meeting with his US counterpart Lloyd Austin in Singapore on May 31 that the missile system severely threatens security in the Asia region and undermines regional peace and stability.
A treaty between the US and Russia that banned land-based ballistic and cruise missiles with ranges of 500km to 5,500km as well as short- to intermediate-range missile launchers, expired in 2019. Since then both nations have expanded their production and use of arms.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on June 28 he was aware that the United States had deployed a missile system to both Denmark and the Philippines, indicating his country would resume production of midrange missile.
On May 23, Philippine Defence Secretary Gilbert Teodoro said that his country was willing to host more weaponry from the US for the purpose of training exercises.
Additional reporting by Jeoffrey Maitem
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