Due to rumors that China is developing a new underwater capable of carrying nuclear-tipped hypersonic missiles especially to neutralize the missile threat, China’s conflict with the Philippines appears to have reached a disturbing new phase.
A semi-official military newspaper reported this month that a Chinese invasion submarine that is currently being developed at a factory in Wuhan might be used to strike Philippine medium-range weapon defense systems.
The report indicates that the People’s Liberation Army ( PLA ) has not yet confirmed if the submarine class is under development.
However, SCMP notes that a publication from Naval &, Merchant Ships, owned by the China State Shipbuilding Corporation ( CSSC), a PLA Navy ( PLA-N) supplier, mentions details about its design and features, thus validating its existence and reasons for its development.
The release mentions that the US Typhon missiles, which have been stationed in the Philippines since April 2024, may launch missiles from Luzon, a northern Philippine area, into island China.
The PLA can launch attacks from outside enemy lines, according to the report, and it has the option to use nuclear missiles if important. China’s most recent submarine is capable of carrying hypersonic missiles.
The YJ-21, which is used on its Type 093 nuclear attack submarines ( SSN), is likely to be used for the new submarine. The YJ-21 has also been deployed on China’s Model 055 ships, and its estimated collection is 1, 500 to 2, 000 km with an estimated velocity of Mach 10.
The underwater, first spotted in mid-2024, appears to have Vocabulary and an X-shaped tail fin for better athleticism and security, according to SCMP. Additionally, the report mentions that the submarine is anticipated to have AIP (air-independent propulsion ) technology.
Tensions between China and the US Typhon weapon system have gotten worse. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi stated in September 2024 that the Typhon’s implementation “undermines regional peace and stability,” adding that it “is not in the interests of local locations.”
But, Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro hit up at the notes, stating that China is using “reverse philosophy” to prevent the Philippines from building its security features.
Teodoro challenged China to “lead by instance”, saying that it should kill its nuclear arsenal, reduce its ballistic missile features, “get out of the West Philippine Sea”, and get out of Mischief Reef, a contested element in the South China Sea.
However, China conducted its first intercontinental ballistic missile ( ICBM ) test since 1980, flying an ICBM from Hainan to French Polynesia, just outside France’s Exclusive Economic Zone ( EEZ ) around the country, in a thinly veiled signal of displeasure the same month.
Undaunted, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr highlighted in January 2025 that China’s missile systems substantially exceeds the Philippines. In exchange for halting anger in the South China Sea, he suggested removing the US Typhon missile program.
China appears determined to take a radical stance despite the strong words from Spanish leaders. In February 2025, Chinese Foreign Minister Spokesperson Guo Jiakun emphasized that the Philippines is “placing its safety in the arms of people” and that China” does not stand idly by when its passions are threatened.
If China’s assertion that its new submarine carries hypersonic missiles is confirmed, the Philippines lacks reliable air and missile defense capabilities to counteract such a threat.
As of 2022, the SM-6 missile is the only weapon in the US arsenal that can intercept hypersonic missiles, and even that capability is described as “nascent”. The US Glide Phase Interceptor ( GPI), designed to destroy hypersonic missiles in their glide phase, is still under development.
Should the Philippines strengthen its extended deterrence strategy with the US and use the Typhon as a foundation, it may purchase military equipment that will support the Typhon missile system in its own backyard.
While the Philippines operates SPYDER surface-to-air missile ( SAM ) batteries, they are not designed to engage hypersonic threats. In addition to SPYDER, the Philippines plans to buy additional short-range SAMs, possibly India’s Akash missile system. But, as with SPYDER, Akash is not designed to engage or neutralize hypersonic threats.
Given the Philippines ‘ capability shortcomings, it may be up to the US to defend its Typhon batteries against China’s hypersonic arsenal. The US deployed Patriot missile launchers to the Philippines in May 2024, with the Patriot successfully intercepting a Russian Kinzhal hypersonic missile over Kyiv in May 2023.
However, Russia’s propaganda may have overhyped the Kinzhal’s capability, and China, having much more resources than the former, can likely afford more sophisticated hypersonic missiles.
Aside from attempting to intercept China’s hypersonics, US submarines in the South China Sea could try to track and hunt their Chinese hypersonic-armed counterparts.
In the South China Sea in 2023, 11 US SSNs and two nuclear ballistic missile submarines ( SSBN ) were discovered, according to a report from the South China Sea Strategic Situation Probing Initiative (SCSPI ) in March 2024.
China may launch a nuclear response if it believes its underwater nuclear deterrent is in danger because it may be using the South China Sea as a protected bastion for its SSBNs. The Philippines runs the risk of being caught in a nuclear conflict between the US and China because of nuclear-armed submarines from opposing sides patrolling nearby.  ,
However, in a May 2024 National Bureau of Asian Research ( NBR ) report, Herman Kraft argues that the Philippines does not view China’s nuclear arsenal as a direct threat but rather as a factor in US-China competition. According to Kravit, China’s assertiveness in the South China Sea has not until recently resulted in the threat of nuclear weapons.
Manila is also developing relations with other countries, including Japan and Australia, while the Philippines acknowledges that the US might use its military installations and forces to target China. He claims that this strategy allows the Philippines to expand its defenses without being involved in US-China nuclear dynamics.
Kraft claims that while the Philippines advocates a normative, diplomatic approach to nuclear weapons, it is constrained by its longstanding dependence on the US.
Although the US Typhon missile system makes the Philippines a potential target for China in the event of a conflict over Taiwan, it is improbable whether any president of the Philippines will permit US offensive strikes from its territory, unless the Philippines ‘ main islands are attacked.
If a leader of the Philippines approves such strikes, it runs the risk of making China, which will always be present nearby, a long-standing adversary.