The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) confirmed on Tuesday the arrival in the country of the US-made anti-ship missile system, the NMESIS (Navy Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System).

The missile system, which arrived at an undisclosed location, will be used in the bilateral Balikatan Exercise between the Philippines and the US set to begin on 21 April.

“The NMESIS, I can confirm it’s already here. While I won’t disclose the exact location, it will be part of the exercises,” said Balikatan Exercise director, Brig. Gen. Michael Logico, in a press conference at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

Logico said additional assets with integrated capabilities will also be brought in for the joint military exercises.

“One of the new events is the integrated air and missile defense. We will be utilizing our air defense capabilities in collaboration with the United States,” he said.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had announced last month the anti-ship missile system would be deployed to the Philippines for the Balikatan (shoulder-to-shoulder) war games.

In a statement, Hegseth emphasized the agreement between Manila and Washington to enhance the deterrence posture in the Indo-Pacific region.

“First, we agreed that the United States will deploy additional advanced capabilities to the Philippines. This includes the use of the NMESIS anti-ship missile system and highly capable unmanned surface vehicles in the Balikatan exercises this April,” Hegseth had said.

“These systems will enable the US Forces and the Armed Forces of the Philippines to train together on utilizing advanced capabilities to defend the Philippines’ sovereignty,” he added.

The NMESIS is an advanced coastal anti-ship missile system designed for mobile, land-based strikes against maritime targets.

Ground-based launchers like the NMESIS are difficult to detect and track, making them more survivable in complex and cluttered environments. This enhances the missile system’s ability to project power while increasing the reach and resilience of anti-ship operations.

This capability is a significant boost to force projection, especially in highly contested areas of the Indo-Pacific region.