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US-China relations
ChinaMilitary

US will not ‘live fire’ Philippines-based Typhon missile system that angered China

US Army statement comes with Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth set to visit Manila this week to ‘advance security objectives’

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The US Typhon missile system has yet to be fired since being transported to the Philippines about a year ago, as part of the Salaknib 2024 joint military exercises. Photo: US Army
Liu Zhen
The US Army has said it will not carry out live-fire tests of a strategic missile system stationed in the Philippines during their coming annual joint military exercises.
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China strongly protested and repeatedly warned of “resolute countermeasures” after the Typhon launchers were deployed on northern Luzon Island during joint drills by the treaty allies last April.

“We are not planning to conduct live fire in the Philippines right now,” Jeffrey VanAntwerp, deputy chief of staff of operations, plans and training at US Army Pacific, was quoted as saying last week.

The US Army statement comes with Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth set to visit Manila this week to “advance security objectives with Philippine leaders”, according to a statement from the Pentagon.

The Philippines will be the first stop in Hegseth’s first trip to Asia since taking office. He is next expected to visit Japan, another US treaty ally.

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Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said on Friday that he did not want war with China but the American military was well prepared.

“We don’t want to have a potential war with China, but I can tell you, if we did, we’re very well-equipped to handle it,” Trump said from the Oval Office.

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