Breaking News: New U.S. Typhon Missiles Deployed Against China Threats in Philippines Could Expand to Other Regions.

In an April 22, 2025, report, the U.S. Congress emphasized the growing strategic value of the Army’s Typhon Mid-Range Capability (MRC) missile system, particularly as tensions escalate in the Indo-Pacific. The deployment of Typhon batteries in the Philippines has drawn sharp criticism from China, which labeled the move as “destabilizing” and warned of a potential arms race. Yet, these reactions only underscore the system’s effectiveness as a deterrent, especially in response to Beijing’s increasingly assertive posture in the South China Sea. Recognizing this deterrent potential, U.S. Congress is now considering broader global deployments and plans to engage with Army leadership, the Department of Defense, and Combatant Commanders to assess how Typhon can be best utilized in other strategic theaters.
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A U.S. Army Mid-Range Capability (MRC) Typhon missile launcher from Charlie Battery, 5th Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Multi-Domain Task Force, arrives in Northern Luzon, Philippines, on April 8, 2024, in the system’s first operational deployment, which has since prompted the U.S. Congress to consider expanding Typhon missile deployments to other strategic theaters worldwide.  (Picture source: U.S. DoD)

The Typhon surface-to-surface missile system, developed by the American Company Lockheed Martin, represents a significant advancement in the U.S. Army's Long Range Precision Fires (LRPF) portfolio. It is designed to bridge the gap between shorter-range precision strike missiles and the Army’s Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon. Capable of launching both the SM-6 and the Tomahawk cruise missile, the Typhon system can engage targets between 500 to 2,500 kilometers, offering commanders a flexible tool to strike time-sensitive and strategic targets across a broad theater of operations. According to the Congressional Research Service report titled The U.S. Army’s Typhon Strategic Mid-Range Fires System, the Typhon’s mobility, multi-domain versatility, and rapid deployability make it a critical asset for contested environments, enhancing the layered deterrence strategy of the United States.

The deployment of a Typhon battery to Northern Luzon in the Philippines during U.S.-Philippine military exercises in 2024 marked the first operational presence of the system in the Indo-Pacific. Although initially framed as a training exercise, the continued presence of the system in the region signals a more enduring strategic intent. This move comes amid escalating maritime tensions, with China increasing its military activities and territorial claims over large swathes of the South China Sea, directly challenging Philippine sovereignty and freedom of navigation operations conducted by the United States and its allies.

In January 2025, the U.S. military reportedly moved its Typhon launchers from Laoag airfield in northern Luzon to another undisclosed location on the island. According to a senior Philippine government source, this redeployment was intended to assess how quickly and efficiently the system could be repositioned for operational use. The mobility of the Typhon system is seen as a critical factor in enhancing its survivability during conflict scenarios, allowing for rapid relocation and flexibility in targeting. This mobility also sends a strong strategic signal that the U.S. intends to adapt and respond dynamically in a high-threat environment, particularly in the event of a military confrontation in the region.

The initial deployment of the Typhon surface-to-surface missile in April 2024 had already drawn sharp criticism from Beijing, which described it as a destabilizing act. The controversy deepened in September 2024, when the United States declared it had no immediate plans to withdraw the system from the Philippines. This decision was met with joint condemnation from both China and Russia, who accused Washington of escalating tensions and fueling an arms race in the Indo-Pacific.

In this geopolitical context, the deployment of Typhon in the Philippines is not just a military maneuver but a calculated political signal. It reinforces U.S. commitments to its Indo-Pacific allies and serves as a tangible counterbalance to Chinese expansionism. The Philippines has defended the deployment, emphasizing its sovereign right to strengthen its national defense capabilities. Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro stated that such deployments are essential to safeguard the country’s territorial integrity and support the broader regional security architecture.

Under the new Trump administration, U.S. foreign policy has taken a markedly assertive stance toward China, emphasizing the importance of strength and strategic presence over prolonged diplomatic engagement. Forward-deployed missile systems like Typhon are viewed as essential tools to reaffirm American resolve and restore deterrence in regions where adversarial influence has grown. This posture reflects a broader strategic shift that prioritizes rapid response capabilities and visible military assets as key instruments for countering challenges from rival powers.

Congress is now considering broader deployment options for the Typhon system beyond the Indo-Pacific, recognizing its deterrence value in other theaters, such as Europe and the Middle East, where strategic competitors pose evolving threats. Discussions are anticipated between lawmakers, the Department of Defense, and Combatant Commanders to determine how best to utilize Typhon’s capabilities in reinforcing U.S. global posture.

Ultimately, the deployment of the Typhon MRC in the Philippines is emblematic of a shifting security paradigm in the Indo-Pacific. It not only enhances the operational flexibility and striking power of the U.S. military in the region but also sends a clear message that the United States is prepared to confront aggression with credible and modern capabilities. As geopolitical rivalries intensify, systems like Typhon will likely remain at the forefront of U.S. deterrence strategies well into the future.