MANILA:  , A Philippine platoon will be trained on using a US mid-range missile system next month, ahead of joint drills, Manila’s military said on Tuesday ( Jan 28 ), in a move that will likely further fuel tensions with China.
The Existing missile system was put in place by the US government last year as part of an annual combined exercise in the northern Philippines, but it was not taken down after the battle games were over.
Beijing, whose troops have had several confrontations with Spanish vessels in recent months over disputed reefs and waters in the South China Sea, has been angered by the state’s reputation on Asian land.
China elicited warnings about a local “arms competition” after the Philippine Army announced last month that it was planning to buy the Typhon program as part of a campaign to protect its maritime interests.
A new squad from the Philippines ‘ Army Artillery Regiment will get “orientation and familiarisation” education on the structure, starting in the second or third month of February, military spokesman Colonel Louie Dema-ala said in a press conference.
The week-long education may include army from the 1st Multi-Domain Task Force of the US Army Pacific, Dema-ala added.
” This is a continuation of what we’ve learned in the first ( training ) iteration. Dema-ala stated that the coaching and a continuation of the previous squad that was trained next year will involve new models.
” As long as MRC ( mid-range missile capability ) is here, we maximise its utilisation to train our personnel in new technology”, he added.
Dema-ala said the training is in planning for this year’s Salaknib, an annual combined practice between the Philippines and US soldiers.
The education area may be disclosed, he told investigators, noting that there will be no fire of the Typhon program.