US Sends Strategic Weapons to Bases in the Indo-Pacific

The US begins sending medium-range weapons systems to the Indo-Pacific. Japan and Guam followed.

AP PHOTO/AARON FAVILA

The High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) M142 was fired from a launcher vehicle during a joint military exercise between the Philippines and the United States in Laur, Nueva Ecija Province, the Philippines on Friday, March 31, 2023. The Philippine government is reported to be interested in purchasing this defense system from the US to cover weaknesses in its military defense system.

MANILA, TUESDAY — The Pentagon has begun sending a number of strategic weapons to its various military bases in the Indo Pacific region, including to The Philippines. The shipment was made a few days after The US signed a trilateral security agreement with the Philippines and Japan.

In their statement released on Monday (15/4/2024), the US Army reported that they have sent the Typhon intermediate-range missile launcher to northern Luzon, Philippines, which will be used in the joint military exercise Salaknib 2024.

Also read: US Mini Alliance in the Indo-Pacific, Fierce Message with Limited Impact

"For the first time in history, the 1st Multi-Domain Task Force deployed a Medium Range Capability (MRC) missile system to Northern Luzon, Philippines as part of Exercise Salaknib 24," the US Army said in a statement, quoted from < a href="https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2024/04/16/asia-pacific/politics/us-midrange-missiles-philippines-china/">Japan Times. The delivery of the weapons system, according to the US Army, is important to increase interoperability, readiness and defense capabilities, in coordination with the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Quoting the Navalnews page, the Typhon weapons system is capable of supporting the launch of Tomahawk and SM-6 cruise missiles. The system was delivered with the command center and other logistics vehicles from Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington state using a US Air Force C-17 Globemaster transport aircraft.

If the Tomahawk functions more as an attacker, the SM-6 missile is seen as a defense system to face hypersonic weapons. The Tomahawk missile itself has a range of up to 1600 kilometers. Placement in the northern Luzon region will allow the range of this missile to reach some coastal areas of China and a number of military bases in the Bamboo Curtain Country in the South China Sea region, which has so far been hotspotChinese and Philippine coast guard ships.

Before finally being sent to the Philippines, the US Army often referred to Japan as a potential host for the weapon system. Although it would receive a negative reaction from the Japanese people due to the potential of the country becoming a target for Chinese weapon systems, according to some US officials, temporary placement is still wide open.

Also read: US Military Access in the Philippines Expands, Indonesia's Northern Areas are Increasingly Turbulent

In addition to Japan, Guam also has the potential to host this weapon system. Guam, located about 2,400 kilometers east of the Philippines, is one of the locations of the US joint military base in the Pacific region. If this step is taken, the placement of the strategic weapon system will be the first since the Cold War, competing with China's expansion plans and its military bases in the Pacific region.

AFP/JAM STA ROSA

A Chinese Coast Guard ship (left) and a Philippine Coast Guard ship (right) were seen near Thitu Island in the disputed South China Sea on Friday (1/12/2023).

Information about the delivery of strategic weapons systems, including intermediate-range missiles, to the Indo-Pacific region has been criticized by China. From China's perspective, this move will lead to dangerous consequences. Beijing pledges a strong response to this action.

"China strongly opposes this and will take resolute countermeasures. We urge the United States to truly respect the security concerns of other countries and stop damaging regional peace and stability," said Chinese Ministry of Defense spokesperson Wu Qian last Friday.

Also read: ASEAN's Challenges in Managing the Pull of China-US Hegemony in the Region

Despite having a good economic relationship with China, in terms of territorial issues, the Philippines has a bad track record of Beijing's behavior. Philippine fishing and navy ships have been repeatedly harassed by Chinese Coast Guard ships in the West Philippine Sea. Even though it did not involve the use of weapons and ammunition, clashes could not be avoided. Based on freedom of navigation in international waters, the US lobbied the Philippines to obtain additional access to place its military personnel and equipment in the Philippines.

In February 2023, Washington and Manila announced an agreement to add four new US military bases in the Philippines. The addition of five new bases brings the total number of US military bases in the Philippines to nine.

AFP/JAM STA ROSA

A Filipino soldier walks on Thitu Island in the disputed South China Sea, Friday (1/12/2023).

Not only has the Philippines collaborated on security with the US, but last July, Philippine Army Commander Romeo Brawner announced Manila's plan to acquire the HIMARS defense system. The Philippines not only intends to acquire HIMARS from the US, but also plans to purchase mid-range missiles made in India, BrahMos.

Collin Koh, a defense researcher at Singapore's S Rajaratnam School of International Studies, said the Philippines needs updates in its defense system, reflecting on Ukraine's experience. “The capabilities of the Philippine military are in many ways considered small. "Having the latest weapons systems such as HIMARS can improve the Philippines' bargaining position and cover existing weaknesses," said Koh, quoted from the page Navalnews.

No Additional Military Bases

The delivery of strategic weaponry systems does not give the Philippines greater access for the US military to use its territory as a military base. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. stated on Monday (15/4/2024) that his government will not provide additional territory for use as a military base following the signing of a trilateral cooperation agreement with the US and Japan.

"The answer is no. The Philippines has no plans to open or build more EDCA bases," Marcos said.

ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES/AP

The image released by the Philippine Armed Forces shows a Chinese militia ship, a warship, and the Philippine Coast Guard ship BRP Cabra as they approach Second Thomas Shoal, which is locally known as Ayungin Shoal, in the South China Sea.

The issue of air pollution is not new. The community has long been threatened by air pollution and there is ample research evidence showing the threats posed by its impacts. However, these facts have not led to significant efforts to control air pollution. As a result, residents are increasingly suffering, living in the midst of this pollution. The Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) 2014, the defense cooperation agreement between the Philippines and the US, allows the US military access to various military bases in the Philippines. EDCA provides the US military with the freedom to place its military equipment and build facilities on military bases, such as runways, fuel storage, and military housing. EDCA complements the Mutual Defense Treaty of 1951 and the Visiting Forces Agreement of 1999.

Also read: Reading the US-Japan-Philippines Trilateral

In total, the US has nine locations to station its military personnel and equipment in the Philippines under EDCA.

Several high-ranking officials of the US government said that under the EDCA clause, attacks on public ships (belonging to the Filipino community or business entities), airplanes, armed forces, including the Philippine coast guard, will activate US protection guarantees for the country. However, according to Marcos, the agreement will only apply if foreign powers carry out deadly actions against Philippine soldiers or military corps members. (AFP/Reuters)