Taiwan Strait Tensions Rise: US Deploys Missile System in Philippines Joint Exercise

NMESIS Deployment in Balikatan 25 Exercise Signals Strategic Maneuvering Near Taiwan

A US Marine Corps regiment equipped with Naval Strike Missiles (NSM) is slated to participate in the upcoming Balikatan 25 exercise in the Luzon Strait, marking the system’s first deployment in the Philippines.

US and Philippine officials have confirmed the Navy Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS) – the mobile launch platform for the Naval Strike Missile – will take part in the joint exercise.

The missiles are being deployed to a “strategic first island chain chokepoint” in the waters between Taiwan and the Philippines, as reported by US-based Naval News.

The distance between the southern tip of Taiwan and Batanes, the northernmost province of the Philippines, is highlighted in reports.

“The Luzon Strait and Bashi Channel represent a critical access point to enter or exit the Pacific Ocean from the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait, and the deployment of NMESIS allows the US to assert control over that access,” according to Ben Lewis, a co-founder of PLATracker and an expert on the Chinese military.

The Naval Strike Missile has a reported operational range of over 185km, just shy of the 190km water stretch separating Taiwan and the Batanes Islands, the northernmost territory of the Philippines.

The Philippine News Agency reported on Tuesday that the US Marine Corps deployed an unspecified number of NMESIS launchers in the Philippines, citing Philippine Army Brigadier General Michael Logico.

Balikatan 25 involves 3,000 Filipino and 2,000 US troops, according to a Philippine military spokesperson.

The drills aim to improve joint operational capabilities, enhance warfighting readiness, and showcase the commitment to defending the Philippines’ territorial integrity.

Separately, the US Marine Corps confirmed the Naval Strike Missile-armed 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment's participation in Balikatan 25.

During the exercise, several NMESIS launchers will be airlifted by US Army and Marine Corps aviation units to conduct maritime key terrain security operations across multiple islands in the Batanes.

The regiment’s fire control center will coordinate its batteries in simulated missile strikes without live fire.

“Working with the government and Armed Forces of the Philippines to bring the NMESIS into the Philippines has been a significant step in the right direction for the reaffirmation and strengthening of US-Philippine relations,” stated Colonel John Lehane, the regiment commander.