US Anti-ship Missile Platform Still in PH

20 Juni 20251

US NMESIS anti-ship missile systems (photo: AFP)

MANILA – The US-made Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS) anti-ship missile platform is still in the country for training, the Philippine Navy said on Tuesday.

"This is to confirm that the NMESIS is still within the country and it will continue to be used by the Philippine Marine Corps for training purposes. As to its current location due to operational security, I cannot disclose that. But I can tell you that it's still inside the country," PN spokesperson Capt. John Percie Alcos said in a media briefing at the Philippine Army headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

The American weapons system was used for training purposes during the just-concluded "Balikatan" exercises that took place from April 21 to May 9 and "Kamandag", from May 26 to June 6.

While the NMESIS was not fired in any of those exercises, Alcos said the Philippines was able to make the most out of the training opportunity.

"The NMESIS will remain here in our country for as long as training opportunities are still there for us to be, for us to use that particular military equipment so that our Marines can better conduct combined operations with their counterparts," he added.

US NMESIS anti-ship missile systems (photo: USMC)

Alcos also stressed that NMESIS, being a ship interdiction type weapons system, is "extremely helpful" if amphibious raids or amphibious landings are planned against the Philippines.

NMESIS is described as a highly mobile coastal anti-ship missile with the ability to strike hostile surface vessels from land-based positions.

The weapon has a range of around 100 nautical miles.

Asked if there are plans to acquire similar systems for the Navy, the PN spokesperson said "the acquisition of long-range missile systems or rocket systems is one of the capabilities that we intend to have."

"And we have already submitted the list of capabilities that are critical and crucial for the PN to higher headquarters and the Department of National Defense," he added.

Alcos also maintained that the presence of NMESIS is a deterrent to anybody who intends to conduct illegal, coercive, aggressive, and deceptive actions against the Philippines. (PNA)

Medium Range Capability (MRC) Typhon missile system (photos: US Army)

AFP open to deployment of more modern US missile systems to PH

MANILA – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) welcomed the possible deployment of more American-made missile systems in the country, as this will provide Filipino soldiers more chances to train and increase their interoperability with their American counterparts.

AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla made the remark amid reports that the United States is ready to deploy another Medium Range Capability (MRC) Typhon missile system in the country, if allowed by the Philippine government.

The first MRC Typhon missile system was deployed to the Philippines last year during an iteration of "Salaknib" in April 2024.

She said this would enhance the capabilities of Filipino military units tasked to train with such modern weapon systems.

"Ito pong (the) Typhon missile system, hindi lang po ito armas (it is not just a weapon). It is a symbol of deterrence and not aggression," Padilla said in a Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon briefing.

She added the MRC Typhon enhances the multi-domain defense posture in the Indo-Pacific Theater.

Asked about the possible reaction of China to this development, Padilla said, the goal of the AFP is purely defensive and not provocation.

She said this weapon system, along with responsible defense cooperation, is also expected to guarantee peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific Region.

"Ang depensa po, hindi po ito pananakot kundi karapatan po ito. Hindi natin kontrolado po ang reaksiyon ng iba pero kontrolado naman po natin ang ating intensyon at itong intensyon na ito ay malinaw, protektahan po ang sambayanan at ang ating soberanya (defense, is not aimed at frightening or scary anyone. It is a right. We do not control the reactions of others but we control our intentions and our intentions are very clear, and that is to protect our people and sovereignty)," Padilla added. (PNA)