The US military has moved its Typhon launchers from Laoag airport in the Philippines to a new location on the island of Luzon. This was reported by a senior Philippine government source, quoted by "Reuters" and News.bg.
The Typhon system, which includes Tomahawk cruise missiles with a range that can reach targets in China and Russia, as well as SM-6 missiles capable of neutralizing air and sea targets at a distance of more than 200 km, is part of a US effort to strengthen its defense infrastructure in Asia.
A Philippine source explained that the redeployment of the batteries aims to test the mobility and speed of deployment of the system to a new firing position.
According to satellite images taken in recent weeks, the batteries and related equipment were loaded onto C-17 transport planes at Laoag International Airport. Jeffrey Lewis of the Middlebury Institute for International Studies confirmed the observations.
The US Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM), which manages the country's military forces in the region, told "Reuters" that the Typhons had been moved to the Philippines. Neither the US nor the Philippine authorities have disclosed the new location of the system.
“The US is working closely with the Philippine government on all aspects of the deployment, including the location,“ said Commander Matthew Comer of INDOPACOM. He clarified that the relocation does not mean the systems will be permanently stationed in the Philippines.
The Typhon system has drawn sharp criticism from China since its initial deployment in April 2024 during military exercises. In September, US officials confirmed that there were no immediate plans to withdraw the Typhon from the region, prompting a sharp reaction from China and Russia, who described the move as provoking an arms race.
On Thursday, China's Foreign Ministry issued fresh criticism of the Philippines, accusing it of creating tension and confrontation in the region and urging it to “correct its wrongdoings“.