Overview

• Philippine military chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. expressed a desire to keep the US Typhon missile system in the Philippines indefinitely.
• The Typhon system, capable of firing Standard Missile-6 and Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles, was first deployed to the Philippines in April for joint military exercises.
• China has repeatedly condemned the deployment, warning it could destabilize the region and exacerbate an arms race.
• Philippine officials argue that keeping the missile system is essential for national defense and accuse China of interfering in their internal affairs.
• Discussions are ongoing about extending the missile system's stay until at least April next year, coinciding with the annual US-Philippines Balikatan military exercises.