CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City – The Philippine Navy (PN) confirmed the series of live exercises involving its newly acquired missile platforms, saying they are part of the service’s efforts to familiarize naval personnel with the operation of these weapon systems.

“We need to train so our personnel will know firsthand on firing these missiles (which are) new capabilities,” PN spokesperson Capt. Benjo Negranza said in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

He made this statement when asked why the PN would fire three of its missile systems during the “Balikatan” exercise this April.

Earlier, PN Chief, Vice Admiral Jose Ma. Ambrosio Padilla, said the Navy would conduct live-fire exercises with its Spike-NLOS surface-to-surface missiles, which are mounted in Acero-class missile boats and the LIG Nex 1 SSM “sea-skimming” surface-to-surface anti-ship cruise missiles and MBDA Mistral surface-to-air missiles arming its Jose Rizal-class guided missile frigates.

“We need to familiarize, be knowledgeable about this new capability and technology,” Negranza said.

When asked if these weapons’ stocks are sufficient to allow their firing, he said, “With regards to the exact number, that is part of our operational security, but rest assured that those are factored in planning on how much we have.” 

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CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) welcomed reports that the United States will be deploying additional units of Medium Range Capability (MRC) Typhon missile systems to the Philippines.

A report by US-based Defense News posted May 18 said “the U.S. Army’s 3rd Multidomain Task Force unit is standing up its long-range fires battalion over the next year, including readying its Typon battery, for deployment in the Pacific theater,” quoting unit chief Col. Michael Rose.

“This is a welcome development for the Armed Forces of the Philippines. We can say that the more, the merrier. So the more assets we have, the more that we are able to train more personnel on our part,” AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said in a press briefing at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.

 Philippine Army spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala said having additional Typhon units will greatly help in the training of soldiers who would be tasked to handle similar weapon systems in the future.

Rose said in the same Defense News story that they are “always looking for opportunities to do live-fire with the system.”

Meanwhile, Philippine Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said they welcome all opportunities to train using modern weapons.

He clarified that the defense posture of the Philippines is done as an action of a sovereign state and not aimed or designed against any country.

The first MRC Typhoon missile system was deployed to the Philippines last year. It was used for training purposes during the 2024 iteration of the “Salaknib” and “Balikatan” exercises and initially stationed in Northern Luzon.