U.S. Deploys Typhon Missile System in Japan for the First Time, China Opposes

The U.S. military has deployed the Typhon ground-based missile system in Japan for the first time, sparking protests from China.

The system, capable of launching Tomahawk cruise missiles and SM-6 surface-to-air missiles, was deployed as part of the annual Resolute Dragon exercises, according to The War Zone.

The exercises aim to strengthen the defense capabilities of allies and will run until September 25.

The U.S. deployed the components of the Typhon missile system at the Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni.

Beijing’s foreign ministry on Tuesday called on the United States and Japan to “promptly withdraw” the missile system.

“Despite China’s serious concerns, the U.S. and Japan have deployed the Typhon medium-range missile system in Japan under the pretext of joint exercises,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin stated during a briefing.

“China expresses strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to this,” he added, according to The Defense Post.

The Typhon missile system is part of the U.S. military’s efforts to enhance its capabilities for precision long-range strikes.

Last year, the system was deployed in the Philippines, which also provoked irritation from China.

Each Mk70 mobile launcher of the Typhon system has four vertical launch cells and can be equipped with subsonic Tomahawk cruise missiles with a range of 1,600 km for strikes against land targets, or Standard Missile-6 (SM-6) long-range interceptors, capable of engaging aerial and ballistic threats, as well as striking ground and surface targets.

This July, during Exercise Talisman Sabre 25 in Australia, U.S. forces conducted the first-ever exercise with its Typhon ground-based missile system outside of the continental United States.

The U.S. military sank a target at sea using a long-range surface-to-air missile, the Standard Missile-6 (SM-6), launched from the Typhon ground-based missile system.