Manila (Agencies): In a significant demonstration of expanding military cooperation and deterrence capabilities, the United States Marine Corps (USMC) has deployed the Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS) in the Philippines for the first time. The deployment supports the 40th iteration of the US-Philippines bilateral exercise ‘Balikatan 2025’, which runs from 21 April to 9 May.
According to US Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM), the USMC’s 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment (MLR) positioned NMESIS during Maritime Key Terrain Security Operations in North Luzon and the Batanes islands. The operation saw US Marines from the 3rd Littoral Combat Team’s Medium-Range Missile Battery and Philippine Marines from the 4th Marine Brigade use US Army and Air Force airlift to transport NMESIS launchers across multiple islands in the Batanes island chain, a strategic area close to Taiwan.
Although the NMESIS will not be fired during the exercise, simulated fire missions will be carried out, highlighting the system’s operational integration and mobility in maritime terrain.
The Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS) is a cutting-edge ground-based missile launcher designed to enhance the USMC’s sea-denial and anti-ship capabilities. At its core is the Naval Strike Missile (NSM), a precision-guided, sea-skimming cruise missile with a firing range exceeding 100 nautical miles (approximately 185 kilometers or 115 miles). It uses GPS, inertial navigation, and an infrared homing system with autonomous target recognition to strike enemy vessels from long distances with high accuracy. It carries a 125 kg high-explosive fragmentation warhead.
USINDOPACOM emphasized that NMESIS provides the 3rd MLR with advanced maritime strike capabilities, enhances naval integration, and strengthens regional deterrence by allowing joint forces to engage targets from land and sea.
While it remains unclear whether this deployment is permanent or limited to Balikatan 2025, the move marks a strategic milestone in the evolving US-Philippines defense partnership amid growing regional tensions in the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait.