Azernews.Az

By Alimat Aliyeva

The Philippine Defense Minister has justified the deployment of American medium-range missile systems in the country, as well as plans to acquire them, Azernews reports.

"Any deployment and purchase of assets related to the security and defense of the Philippines is within its sovereign prerogative and is not subject to foreign influence," Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said in a statement.

Reuters noted that the Philippines' primary rival in the South China Sea region is China, which strongly opposes the deployment of such systems in the area.

The deployment of Typhon missile systems for joint exercises was "legal and beyond any doubt legal," Teodoro added.

In September, the agency reported that the United States has no plans to withdraw the Typhon missile system from the Philippines in the near future and is exploring the possibility of using it in a regional conflict. According to China, this could lead to a geopolitical confrontation. The American Typhon launch system, which can be equipped with cruise missiles capable of hitting Chinese targets, was delivered for joint exercises earlier this year.

Over the past few years, tensions between China and the Philippines have increased over disputed territories in the South China Sea, further exacerbated by the strengthening of defense ties between Manila and Washington.