U.S.-made land-based anti-ship Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS) launchers were previously deployed in the northern Philippines. The missile system was used in a test fire during the recently concluded Balikatan Exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the United States Armed Forces. (Photo by Edward Bungubun)
EDWARD STEPHAN S. BUNGUBUNG
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American military officials on Thursday confirmed that the United States (US)-made land-based anti-ship missile system—Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS), was fired during drills in the Philippines.
Speaking at the 2025Philippine Amphibious Leaders Symposium (PALS) in Makai City, US Pacific Fleet Commander, Admiral Steve Koehler, publicly disclosed advanced capabilities of the coastal anti-ship missile system NMESIS, showcased during the recent bilateral Exercise Balikatan held in northern Philippines.
“It featured cutting-edge capabilities and focused on the West Philippine Sea and Luzon Strait,” Koehler said.
“We test-fired NMESIS missiles, operated amphibious vehicles and HIMARS, and trained with unmanned systems, and conducted full battle tests and real-world scenarios,” he added.
Koehler emphasized that he military drills significantly boosted deterrence and military readiness in the Indo-Pacific region.
“Our achievements during Balikatan were a major step forward in deterrence for the Indo-Pacific,” he said, but did not give further details about the live fire drills.
Meanwhile, Commanding General of I Marine Expeditionary Force, LtGen. Michael Cederholm also confirmed the use of NMESIS during Balikatan war games but did not delve into operational details, citing security reasons.
“We do and did bring new capabilities to include NMESIS. I had the opportunity to insert NMESIS onto Batanes Island for that,” Cederholm told reporters in an ambush interview.
Cederholm also emphasized the enhanced interoperability between Filipino and American troops demonstrated during the execution of various military training exercises.
“We had great training with that capability, with all the capabilities, which are layered capabilities,” he said.
NMESIS is capable of striking targets more than 185 kilometers away with sea-skimming precision and radar-evading stealth. It is designed not just for coastal defense, but for effective sea denial.
China previously criticized the deployment of the high-precision NMESIS anti-ship launchers and other “strategic and tactical weapons” in the Philippines, claiming it poses a threat to regional stability.
China's Foreign Ministry also issued a warning to “those who play with fire” regarding the Taiwan issue, which Beijing regards as a "red line."
