For the first time, the U.S. Army’s new Mid-Range Capability (MRC) Typhon Weapon System has been deployed to the Northern Philippines. This land-based launcher, which supports Tomahawk cruise missiles and SM-6, arrived for military drills, marking its debut in the Indo-Pacific region.
The Typhon system, designed by Lockheed Martin, adapts the naval Mk.41 vertical launch system for ground use and is a key component of the U.S. Army’s Multi-Domain Task Forces (MDTF). The deployment included a battery consisting of four launchers, a command center, and logistical vehicles, stationed out of Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington.
This deployment is part of the U.S.-Philippine exercise Salaknib 2024, reflecting a shift towards more advanced coastal defense drills. The Philippines’ recent defense modernization efforts, including the acquisition of HIMARS, come amid rising tensions with China over territorial disputes in the South China Sea.
The U.S. Army highlights Typhon’s role in providing land-based maritime strike capabilities to support broader military efforts in the region. The deployment aims to enhance Philippine maritime defense and strengthen U.S.-Philippine military cooperation.
Brig. Gen. Bernard Harrington emphasized the significance of this partnership, and Lt. Col. Benjamin Blane noted that the Typhon system offers a credible deterrent and operational capability in the Pacific.
(Sources: Manila Bulletin, GMA News Online; Naval News)
