The United States’ Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS) anti-ship missile has arrived in the Philippines.
This move is seen as further strengthening the Philippines’ deterrence capability. Balikatan exercise director Brigadier General Michael Logico confirmed the arrival of the NMESIS, which will be used in the annual war games between the Philippines and the United States from April 21 to May 9 of the current year.
However, the official did not mention the specific location where it will be utilized.
The NMESIS is the second US missile system deployed to the Philippines, with the US midrange capability Typhon missile arriving from the US on April 11 of last year and also being used for the first time during the Balikatan exercise.
According to Logico, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. approved all activities for Balikatan during a military briefing held two weeks ago.
He also revealed that the President is interested in observing one of the events in the said exercise, particularly the air and integrated air and missile defense exercise.
Logico also shared that the deployment of all newly acquired assets of the Philippine military will be seen in this year’s Balikatan drills.
Approximately 14,000 personnel from the United States and the Philippines are expected to participate in the annual war games, slightly lower than in previous years where the number of troops deployed for the exercise reached 17,000.
It can be recalled that US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth initially announced the deployment of the anti-ship missile for the Balikatan exercise during his visit to the Philippines last month.