A United States missile system that is currently deployed in an allied country near China has proved its deterrence, U.S. Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll claimed last week.
Newsweek has reached out to the Armed Forces of the Philippines for comment by email. The Chinese Defense Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Why It Matters
The U.S. Army stationed a Mid-Range Capability (MRC) missile system, also known as Typhon, in the Philippines in April last year. The ground-based system can launch two types of missiles, hitting targets in the air and on the surface as far as 1,000 miles away.
The Typhon was deployed for drills at first, but the U.S. and the Philippines later decided to keep it there indefinitely, which China has denounced as a “highly dangerous move.” It can threaten China’s east and south coasts from the Philippines, a Newsweek map shows.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Army is considering sending its Multi-Domain Task Force (MDTF), which hosts the MRC and the Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW) missile systems, to Japan, which is another key ally in Washington’s Indo-Pacific strategy to counter China.
What To Know
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Driscoll revealed on March 13 that he had visited the 1st Multi-Domain Task Force at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington. He described the LRHW and the MRC, which are operated by the unit, as “major combat-credible systems.”
“We proved the MRC’s deterrent effect via a dynamic deployment in the Philippines and look forward to all future power projection opportunities!” he wrote in the post. It was not immediately clear whether he was referring to the potential MDTF deployment to Japan.
Earlier this week I visited the 1st Multi Domain Task Force at @JBLM_PAO, spending time with the incredible soldiers and exquisite equipment. The Long Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW) and Mid-Range Capability (MRC) are major combat-credible systems. We proved the MRC’s deterrent… pic.twitter.com/utLnLGhSAM
— Secretary of the Army (@SecArmy) March 13, 2025
According to a press release from the U.S. Army I Corps, Driscoll visited the base on March 10. “Joint Base Lewis-McChord stands as the cornerstone of our military’s ability to project power rapidly and effectively throughout the Indo-Pacific region,” he said.
Meanwhile, specialist outlet Defense News reported on Tuesday that a second U.S. Army unit that operates the MRC and the LRHW missile systems, the Hawaii-headquartered 3rd MDTF, is being prepared for deployment in the Indo-Pacific region over the next year.
“We’re constantly looking for opportunities to exercise capability like that forward in theater,” said Colonel Michael Rose, commander of the 3rd MDTF, at a media roundtable.
Japan’s Kyodo News reported last November that the U.S. will send long-range fire units of the MDTF to the Philippines should a contingency between China and Taiwan become “highly imminent.” China has threatened to use force against the self-governed island.
Captain Ryan DeBooy/U.S. Army
What People Are Saying
Dan Driscoll, U.S. Secretary of the Army, said during his visit to Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington on March 10: “The capabilities I’ve witnessed today demonstrate how our soldiers are integrating cutting-edge technologies to ensure our forces remain ready to meet any challenge in this critical theater. I’m incredibly impressed by the readiness, the soldier-led innovation, and commitment I saw firsthand.”
U.S. Army Colonel Charles Kean, commander of the 1st Multi-Domain Task Force, said in a press release on March 12: “Our Soldiers are developing innovative approaches to integrating cutting-edge technologies that will enhance our joint and partner nation interoperability. Secretary Driscoll’s engagement with our team today reinforces the strategic importance of the MDTF capabilities throughout the Indo-Pacific region.”
What Happens Next
China, which has territorial disputes with the Philippines over the South China Sea, will continue to voice its objections against the MRC missile system deployment in the region.
