Agency :
The Philippines has announced plans to buy the United States’ Typhon missile system, triggering China to warn of an impending “arms race” in the Asia Pacific region.
Philippine military chief Lieutenant-General Roy Galido said on Monday that the country would acquire the mid-range missile system, already deployed by the US army on its territory for annual joint military exercises, “for the interest of protecting our sovereignty”.
China, which claims almost the entire South China Sea in defiance of international law and has deployed its navy and coastguard in escalating confrontations over disputed reefs and waters, condemned the decision as a “provocative and dangerous move”, reports Al Jazeera.
“It is an extremely irresponsible choice for the history of its own people and the people of Southeast Asia, as well as for regional security,” said Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Mao Ning. The region needed “peace and prosperity, not missiles and confrontation”, she added.
Galido said the acquisition had not yet been budgeted for 2025. It is expected to take two or more years for the military to complete its purchase of the new weapons system.
