The Philippine Army has taken a new step in strengthening its deterrence and response capabilities by activating last week a new unit specialized in the use of surface-to-surface missiles, aimed at reinforcing territorial defense from the coasts and enhancing long-range precision strike capabilities. In an official statement, the ground force emphasized that “… this milestone underscores the Army’s commitment to strengthening its precision strike capability and consolidating the country’s territorial defense posture.”
In a context marked by tensions with China in the West Philippine Sea, the Philippine Army formally established the 1st Land-Based Missile Battalion, a unit intended for territorial defense. Its creation and activation are part of Manila’s efforts to modernize and diversify the strike capabilities of its Armed Forces, a goal reflected in the evaluation and studies for the potential acquisition of the U.S.-made Typhon missile launch system, among other platforms suited to military needs under the current regional geopolitical scenario.
Building on these developments, in 2023 the then-Army Chief—and current Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces—General Romeo Brawner confirmed the intent to acquire U.S.-made HIMARS systems, as well as Indian-developed BrahMos anti-ship cruise missiles.
A year earlier, in 2022, the Philippines had finalized the purchase of three BrahMos system batteries worth 374 million dollars for the Navy, to be operated by the Marine Corps, marking the first export of the missile co-produced by India and Russia. The first components of the new cruise missiles began arriving in February 2024, and the first battery became operational in April of the same year.
In parallel with the activation of the 1st Land-Based Missile Battalion, personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines have received training from the U.S. Army in the use of HIMARS high-mobility artillery systems and other long-range artillery platforms. In fact, during the Balikatan 2024 Exercise, Filipino troops participated in drills with the U.S. Army’s new Typhon missile launch system, which offers a “dual” launch capability, being able to fire both SM-6 surface-to-air missiles and Tomahawk cruise missiles—considered strategically important for providing both air defense and surface strike capabilities from a single launcher.
Lastly, regarding the Philippine Army’s interest in the Typhon system, it would be based on the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept (CADC), a doctrine seeking to strengthen the country’s coastal defense and power projection capabilities over its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), in coordination with the Philippine Navy and Air Force. Should the purchase of the Typhon and HIMARS systems from the United States materialize, these would complement the existing capabilities provided by the BrahMos cruise missiles, allowing the Philippines to consolidate a layered defensive network with short-, medium-, and long-range strike capabilities projected from its coasts.
Cover image used for illustrative purposes.
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