Phl Army to hold next leg of MRC familiarization in February

The Philippine Army on Tuesday confirmed it will conduct another round of familiarization exercises using the United States-made midrange capability (MRC) missile system, also known as the Typhon missile launcher.

Army spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala said the familiarization training will take place during the second iteration of the subject matter expert exchanges (SMEEs) and will be part of the Combined Arms Training Exercise (CATEX) Katihan, scheduled for the second week of February.

The SMEEs are likely to be held in the area where the MRC is currently deployed.

The Typhon missile launcher was recently transferred to an undisclosed location in the country, prompting China to demand its removal. However, the military has refused to disclose the location of the US-made missile launcher.

“I cannot disclose the exact location,” Dema-ala said, adding that the Philippine Army aims to maximize the familiarization of the MRC with their counterparts in the US Army Pacific (USARPAC).

“The Army Artillery Regiment will focus on the payload delivery system and continue what we learned in the first iteration of the SMEE,” he noted.

He added, “New units will be involved in the training, alongside the platoon trained last year.”

Dema-ala also clarified that there will be no live-fire exercises during this year’s familiarization exercise.

“No live-fire exercises,” he said.

Furthermore, Dema-ala mentioned that the CATEX-Katihan is being conducted in preparation for this year’s ‘Salaknib’ Exercise — an annual Army-to-Army combat drill between the Philippine Army and the US Army Pacific. He noted that this iteration of Salaknib will focus more on “command and control operations.”

Army Commanding General Roy Galido will oversee the exercise, which will involve units from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

The MRC, also known as the Typhon Weapon System, arrived in Manila on 11 April and is currently deployed in an undisclosed location in Northern Luzon.

This ground-based missile system, designed by Lockheed Martin, takes the naval Mk.41 vertical launch system and modifies it for land-based operations. It is capable of firing Tomahawk and SM-6 missiles.

The system was deployed in the country as part of the Philippines - US military training, including the recently concluded Balikatan Exercise. It was also used as training equipment during the first phase of the ‘Salaknib’ Exercise in September 2024.