The Philippines has entered the missile age, decades behind many of its Southeast Asian neighbours, with analysts divided over whether its growing arsenal enhances deterrence or places the archipelago at greater risk.
During the 2025 Balikatan joint military exercises with US forces, the Philippine Navy tested an array of missiles – from Korean C-star anti-ship missiles to French Mistral 3 surface-to-air missiles fired from a frigate, and Israeli non-line of sight Spike missiles launched from a fast-attack boat.
Filipino soldiers also observed American Marines setting up NMESIS missile launchers on an island in the Luzon Strait capable of dominating sea approaches to Taiwan. Manila is reportedly considering buying this system for its own use.
Just a few years ago, the Philippine military did not possess a single missile. It conducted its first-ever missile test, firing a Rafael Spike-ER as part of an acceptance trial, in 2018.
Since then, the country has steadily built a stockpile of missiles sourced from the US, Israel, South Korea and France for use against aircraft, ships and land targets. These range from man-portable systems to land-based batteries, the most notable of which is the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile from India, deployed and used by the Philippine Marines.
In 2023, following joint exercises with the US, the Philippines expressed interest in acquiring the US Army’s Himars system. A year later, during similar drills, the US deployed its Typhon missile system to Luzon. This mobile launcher, capable of firing three types of missiles, was scheduled to leave in September 2024, but Manila requested its extension and has since announced plans to buy its own Typhon system.
The build-up has made some observers uneasy. “We are bristling with US and other foreign missiles aimed at either China, Russia and North Korea, countries which have all countermeasure capabilities to destroy our island,” said Professor Roland Simbulan, chair of the Centre for People Empowerment in Governance in Quezon City. “It is a nerve-breaking situation.”
