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PH Army eyes platforms that will allow it to defend EEZ

Philippine News Agency

By Priam Nepomuceno
December 23, 2024, 8:35 pm

MANILA -- The Philippine Army (PA) is looking for weapons systems or platforms that will give it the capability to defend the country's 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ), its chief said on Monday.

In a press briefing on Monday, PA chief Lt. Gen. Roy Galido said one of such weapon systems now being looked into is the US-made "Mid-Range Capability" (MRC) "Typhon" Missile System.

He said the "Typhon" is among those being considered due to its "feasibility and its functionality in our concept in Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense implementation."

The Typhon missile system is capable of firing Tomahawk Land Attack Missile and the Standard Missile-6 and is believed to have a range in excess of 1,000 miles.

He was referring to the Philippine strategy to defend its entire territory, including its 200-nautical mile EEZ.

"There are negotiations. Because we see its feasibility and adaptability, the Army was tasked to come up with plans to contribute to the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense (Concept) (CADC) and one of our input(s) is to be able to defend (the) land through this type of platform. Among the several platforms that we need to defend our country. So, there's a long list of new platforms the Army has planned, (and is) working with not only with the United States, but also allied countries for (the) numerous platforms that we need," Galido said.

Galido said should the Philippines go for the acquisition of the MRC, which he described as a "defense platform," it would be good as it is very functional and adaptable to the country's situation.

He added Philippine troops being trained by their American counterparts on the use of the platform since April this year have learned a lot.

Asked for a timeframe on when the PA intends to implement this program, the Army chief hopes that it will be soon.

"CADC requires that we are able to protect the country's interest and the country's interest is our EEZ, that 200 nautical miles. Thus, it is paramount for the Army to be able to project its force up to that extent in coordination, of course, with the Philippine Navy and the Philippine Air Force," Galido said.

He added the PA needs to acquire this type of platform to assist the services that will focus on maritime and air domains. (PNA)