Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief Gen. Romeo S. Brawner Jr. talks to members of the media during a press conference that followed the MDB-SEB Meeting 2024 at the Philippine Military Academy in Baguio City on Thursday, August 29, 2024. Brawner said the AFP wants to procure its own US-made Typhon mid-range capability (MRC) missile system, as part of its advancement push to get the latest weapons systems. Arnel Tacson/INQUIRER.net
BAGUIO CITY, Philippines (Updated) — The Philippines wants to procure its own US-made Typhon mid-range capability (MRC) missile system, according to Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief General Romeo Brawner Jr.
Brawner, who made the pronouncement after the meeting of the Mutual Defense Board-Security Engagement Board (MDB-SEB) here at the Philippine Military Academy, said this plan is part of the AFP’s thrust as the country shifts its focus on external defense.
Brawner held a media briefing with US Indo-Pacific Command Chief Adm. Samuel Paparo Jr here at the Philippine Military Academy after their meeting for the MDB-SEB.
“Part of that advancement is trying to get in the latest weapons systems that are out there, enough for us to develop the intended effect. So one of the modern weapons are, of course, the missile systems,” Brawner said in a press conference that followed the MDB-SEB.
READ: US missile system spotted in Ilocos Norte
“We are wanting to get more of the latest weapons systems, that includes the mid-range capability,” he added.
Brawner said the military is starting to undergo training for MRC operations in case the country decides to procure such a missile system.
Security expert Chester Cabalza said the MRC will be a fine addition to the military arsenal “due to its enhanced and versatile” capabilities.
“It can bolster collective readiness in land, air, and maritime domains which can be needed in times of unforeseen eventuality,” Cabalza, president and founder of Manila-based think tank International Development and Security Cooperation, told INQUIRER.net on Thursday.
A unit of the ground-based missile system capable of firing Tomahawk and SM-6 missiles, the MRC arrived in the country on April 11 and was last spotted in Ilocos Norte.
Paparo said the deployment of MRC is part of Washington’s “constant experimentation.”
“So the present purpose of the missile system is that it is a part of the constant evolution of United States Army formations in its multi-domain operations and multi-domain task forces,” Paparo said. “And every military is in constant experimentation such as the nature of our operations.”
READ: AFP chief bats for ‘missile regiment’ for supersonic cruise missile acquisition
In July, Russian President Vladimir Putin said his country would resume the production of intermediate-and shorter-range nuclear-capable missiles, citing the US deployment of the MRC missile system to the Philippines.
Currently, the Philippines’ arsenal has medium-range supersonic cruise missiles called BrahMos, which could be launched from submarines, ships, planes, or land platforms. It arrived in the country in April.
With a range of 290 to 400 kilometers, BrahMos could travel at Mach 2.8, or about three times faster than the speed of sound.
Previously, Brawner proposed the creation of a permanent unit within the Philippine Army that would be in charge of the supersonic cruise missile system, its maintenance and usage.