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Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Marines, Army deploying missile systems to Luzon Strait
Marine Corps and Army missile systems are set to deploy to a key chokepoint in the Philippine Island chains for anti-ship drills during the military exercise known as KAMANDAG. The unmanned, anti-ship Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System, or NMESIS, and the Army's High Mobility Rocket Artillery System will feature prominently in the exercise with their emplacement between Luzon and Taiwan, U.S. Naval Institute reported. The 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment's NMESIS is heading to Batanes, the northernmost portion of Philippine territory. The platform first reached the island of Basco and Batan for Balikatan 2025, a maritime security exercise. This unit will be the next to field the ship-killing missile system That was the first time the Marines deployed the anti-ship missile to the Luzon Strait. 'The insertion of the NMESIS on Batan during Exercise Balikatan 25's MKTSO was an achievement of a major milestone not just for 3rd MLR, but for the entire U.S. Marine Corps enterprise, signifying advancements in the service's equipment fielding to employment timelines,' said Col. John G. Lehane, commanding officer of the 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment. 'In a matter of months, the NMESIS went from an experimental asset undergoing the rigorous initial operational testing and evaluation spearheaded by Marine Corps Systems Command and the program office, to a fully fielded weapon system capable of neutralizing the threat of adversarial vessels in contested littoral zones.' Marine Rotational Force-Darwin will conduct corps-level command and control. The 3rd MLR will deploy their missile battery to Batanes using KC-130J transport aircraft, USNI reported. 'KAMANDAG 9 is a clear demonstration of the strength of the U.S.-Philippine alliance and our ironclad commitment to regional security and combined readiness,' said Col. Jason C. Armas, commanding officer of the MRF-D 25.3 MAGTF. 'Training shoulder to shoulder with our Philippine Marine Corps partners isn't just about building interoperability — it's about forging trust in the crucible of shared hardship and preparing together to respond with speed and precision to any crisis, anywhere, anytime.' The exercise is scheduled to run from May 26 to June 6 and will take place across the Philippine archipelago, including Luzon, Batanes, Tawi-Tawi and Palawan, according to a release. Training events include maritime key terrain security operations, defensive counter-landing live-fire drills, littoral maneuver, amphibious operations and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, according to the release. Japanese and Korean forces are scheduled to conduct amphibious drills in the province of Palawan, which faces the South China Sea, a key area of control for any potential conflict with Beijing. The Army HIMARs will be transported by the Armed Forces of the Philippines alongside the Marine anti-ship systems. The service deployed the launchers during Balikatan 2024. The missile units will rehearse maritime strikes in the Luzon Strait. Those systems can cover the 250-kilometer-wide strait through fires and sensors, USNI reported. The 3rd MLR used a network of ground-based sensors and drones across Batanes and the Babuyan Islands during previous exercises. Those operations included the Philippine territory of Mavulis, less than 90 miles from Taiwan.
Business Insider
23-04-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
The Marines are deploying these new ship and drone killers to a strategic US ally in the Pacific
The Marines announced the deployment of the Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS) and Marine Air Defense Integrated System (MADIS) last week. The anti-ship and counter-drone systems will both be in the Philippines during the annual Balikatan exercise, which aims to strengthen joint US-Philippine operations. Ship killers NMESIS is a land-based anti-ship Naval Strike Missile launcher on a Joint Light Tactical Vehicle. First fielded late last year with the 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment, the weapon is designed to provide enhanced sea denial capability. Its involvement in Balikatan, the Marines said, was to strengthen deterrence and add to larger coastal defense strategies. This marks its first deployment to the Philippines, which Col. John G. Lehane, the commanding officer of the 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment, called "a significant step in the right direction for the reaffirmation and strengthening of US-Philippine relations." During Balikatan, the NMESIS will participate in simulated fires exercises during Maritime Key Terrain Security Operations in Northern Luzon and the Batanes Islands, with several launchers transported to multiple islands in the Batanes chain. The Batanes are located in the Luzon Strait between the Philippines and Taiwan. The waterways there connect the Philippine Sea and South China Sea. In previous Balikatan exercises, US and Philippine forces have practiced securing these islands as strategically important locations near Taiwan and mainland China. Anti-ship capabilities are recognized as essential in a Pacific fight given the role that naval forces are expected to play. China, a top rival in the region, has the world's largest navy. And it's shipbuilding juggernaut is continuing to build more vessels. Norwegian defense firm Kongsberg makes the Naval Strike Missile fired by NMESIS. Last November, it received a contract worth roughly $900 million from the Navy and Marines for the missile. Drone killers MADIS is a ground-based air defense system that like NMESIS is mounted on a JLTV. It will be involved in live-fire training, its second after a training event in Hawaii earlier this year. Marines with the 3rd Littoral Anti-Air Battalion of the 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment received the weapon last December. Designed to target uncrewed aerial systems, or drones, "MADIS is a unique weapon system that enhances both the survivability and lethality of 3d MLR by extending the reach of the airspace over which the formation has control, and by giving tactical flexibility to the friendly elements operating within our area of operations," Lehane said. The 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment was established for combat operations in austere and distributed maritime environments; essentially, it was made for war in the Pacific. When paired with NMESIS, MADIS helps increase the survivability of US and partner forces conducting maritime strikes by defending them from enemy drones and UAVs, Lehane said. During the exercise, the Philippine forces will also be conducting a demonstration of their counter-UAS systems. The conflict in Ukraine and rapid technological development in this space has highlighted the importance of drones, as well as the capabilities to effectively counter them. The deployment of both systems for Balikatan is an important element of ongoing security efforts between the US and the Philippines amid Chinese aggression in the region, particularly toward Philippine vessels operating in the South China Sea, as well as concerns of a potential Chinese invasion of Taiwan. These are often seen as potential flashpoints.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
The Marines are deploying these new ship and drone killers to a strategic US ally in the Pacific
US Marines are deploying new anti-ship and anti-drone systems to the Philippines. NMESIS and MADIS will be placed in key areas for a joint exercise. It's the first NMESIS deployment to the Philippines and the second MADIS live-fire demo since it was fielded late last year. The US Marine Corps is deploying two new combat systems designed to counter key airborne and maritime threats to a strategic ally in the Western Pacific. The Marines announced the deployment of the Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS) and Marine Air Defense Integrated System (MADIS) last week. The anti-ship and counter-drone systems will both be in the Philippines during the annual Balikatan exercise, which aims to strengthen joint US-Philippine operations. NMESIS is a land-based anti-ship Naval Strike Missile launcher on a Joint Light Tactical Vehicle. First fielded late last year with the 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment, the weapon is designed to provide enhanced sea denial capability. Its involvement in Balikatan, the Marines said, was to strengthen deterrence and add to larger coastal defense strategies. This marks its first deployment to the Philippines, which Col. John G. Lehane, the commanding officer of the 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment, called "a significant step in the right direction for the reaffirmation and strengthening of US-Philippine relations." During Balikatan, the NMESIS will participate in simulated fires exercises during Maritime Key Terrain Security Operations in Northern Luzon and the Batanes Islands, with several launchers transported to multiple islands in the Batanes chain. The Batanes are located in the Luzon Strait between the Philippines and Taiwan. The waterways there connect the Philippine Sea and South China Sea. In previous Balikatan exercises, US and Philippine forces have practiced securing these islands as strategically important locations near Taiwan and mainland China. Anti-ship capabilities are recognized as essential in a Pacific fight given the role that naval forces are expected to play. China, a top rival in the region, has the world's largest navy. And it's shipbuilding juggernaut is continuing to build more vessels. Norwegian defense firm Kongsberg makes the Naval Strike Missile fired by NMESIS. Last November, it received a contract worth roughly $900 million from the Navy and Marines for the missile. MADIS is a ground-based air defense system that like NMESIS is mounted on a JLTV. It will be involved in live-fire training, its second after a training event in Hawaii earlier this year. Marines with the 3rd Littoral Anti-Air Battalion of the 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment received the weapon last December. Designed to target uncrewed aerial systems, or drones, "MADIS is a unique weapon system that enhances both the survivability and lethality of 3d MLR by extending the reach of the airspace over which the formation has control, and by giving tactical flexibility to the friendly elements operating within our area of operations," Lehane said. The 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment was established for combat operations in austere and distributed maritime environments; essentially, it was made for war in the Pacific. When paired with NMESIS, MADIS helps increase the survivability of US and partner forces conducting maritime strikes by defending them from enemy drones and UAVs, Lehane said. During the exercise, the Philippine forces will also be conducting a demonstration of their counter-UAS systems. The conflict in Ukraine and rapid technological development in this space has highlighted the importance of drones, as well as the capabilities to effectively counter them. The deployment of both systems for Balikatan is an important element of ongoing security efforts between the US and the Philippines amid Chinese aggression in the region, particularly toward Philippine vessels operating in the South China Sea, as well as concerns of a potential Chinese invasion of Taiwan. These are often seen as potential flashpoints. This year's Balikatan marks the 40th iteration of the exercise, the largest bilateral training between Washington and Manila. Read the original article on Business Insider
Business Insider
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Business Insider
The Marines are deploying these new ship and drone killers to a strategic US ally in the Pacific
The US Marine Corps is deploying two new combat systems designed to counter key airborne and maritime threats to a strategic ally in the Western Pacific. The Marines announced the deployment of the Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS) and Marine Air Defense Integrated System (MADIS) last week. The anti-ship and counter-drone systems will both be in the Philippines during the annual Balikatan exercise, which aims to strengthen joint US-Philippine operations. Ship killers NMESIS is a land-based anti-ship Naval Strike Missile launcher on a Joint Light Tactical Vehicle. First fielded late last year with the 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment, the weapon is designed to provide enhanced sea denial capability. Its involvement in Balikatan, the Marines said, was to strengthen deterrence and add to larger coastal defense strategies. This marks its first deployment to the Philippines, which Col. John G. Lehane, the commanding officer of the 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment, called "a significant step in the right direction for the reaffirmation and strengthening of US-Philippine relations." During Balikatan, the NMESIS will participate in simulated fires exercises during Maritime Key Terrain Security Operations in Northern Luzon and the Batanes Islands, with several launchers transported to multiple islands in the Batanes chain. The Batanes are located in the Luzon Strait between the Philippines and Taiwan. The waterways there connect the Philippine Sea and South China Sea. In previous Balikatan exercises, US and Philippine forces have practiced securing these islands as strategically important locations near Taiwan and mainland China. Anti-ship capabilities are recognized as essential in a Pacific fight given the role that naval forces are expected to play. China, a top rival in the region, has the world's largest navy. And it's shipbuilding juggernaut is continuing to build more vessels. Norwegian defense firm Kongsberg makes the Naval Strike Missile fired by NMESIS. Last November, it received a contract worth roughly $900 million from the Navy and Marines for the missile. Drone killers MADIS is a ground-based air defense system that like NMESIS is mounted on a JLTV. It will be involved in live-fire training, its second after a training event in Hawaii earlier this year. Marines with the 3rd Littoral Anti-Air Battalion of the 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment received the weapon last December. Designed to target uncrewed aerial systems, or drones, "MADIS is a unique weapon system that enhances both the survivability and lethality of 3d MLR by extending the reach of the airspace over which the formation has control, and by giving tactical flexibility to the friendly elements operating within our area of operations," Lehane said. The 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment was established for combat operations in austere and distributed maritime environments; essentially, it was made for war in the Pacific. When paired with NMESIS, MADIS helps increase the survivability of US and partner forces conducting maritime strikes by defending them from enemy drones and UAVs, Lehane said. During the exercise, the Philippine forces will also be conducting a demonstration of their counter-UAS systems. The conflict in Ukraine and rapid technological development in this space has highlighted the importance of drones, as well as the capabilities to effectively counter them. The deployment of both systems for Balikatan is an important element of ongoing security efforts between the US and the Philippines amid Chinese aggression in the region, particularly toward Philippine vessels operating in the South China Sea, as well as concerns of a potential Chinese invasion of Taiwan. These are often seen as potential flashpoints. This year's Balikatan marks the 40th iteration of the exercise, the largest bilateral training between Washington and Manila.
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Yahoo
Marines deploy drone-killing MADIS system for Balikatan drills
U.S. Marines will test one of the service's newest counter-drone defense systems during this year's Balikatan military exercise in collaboration with the Philippine military, according to the Marine Corps. Marines with the 3rd Littoral Anti-Air Battalion's Ground-Based Air Defense Battery will conduct live-fire training with the ground-based Marine Air Defense Integrated System, or MADIS, a short-range, surface-to-air system that specializes in the detection and destruction of unmanned aircraft systems, at the annual joint drills currently underway in the Philippines. The exercise will mark MADIS' second live-fire training, following training in January at the Pohakuloa Training Area on the Big Island of Hawaii, and the first time the system has been deployed outside the United States with a U.S. Marine Corps unit. 'The MADIS is a unique weapon system that enhances both the survivability and lethality of [the 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment] by extending the reach of the airspace over which the formation has control, and by giving tactical flexibility to the friendly elements operating within our area of operations,' said Col. John G. Lehane, commanding officer of the 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment, in a release. During an integrated air and missile defense event, U.S. Marines will perform a demonstration of the MADIS alongside Philippine Marines and soldiers, who will also utilize their own counter-drone systems. With MADIS, Marines don't have to exit their vehicle to manually target and take out an unmanned aerial vehicle. The system, mounted to a tactical vehicle, comes equipped with radar and weapons capable of identifying aerial threats and neutralizing them out of the sky with jammers, Stinger missiles and a 30mm cannon. This Marine unit now has its own tool to blast drones out of the sky MADIS will replace a previous aerial defense system called the Man-Portable Air Defense System, or MANPADs, which includes a fire unit vehicle, section leader vehicle and a Stinger shoulder-fired missile as its primary weapon system, according to the Marine Corps. The Marine Corps — which requested $130 million for 13 MADIS Increment 1 systems in its fiscal 2024 budget request — will seek to field 190 MADIS systems through 2035 to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Low-Altitude Air Defense Battalions and the 3rd, 4th and 12th Marine Littoral Regiments. This year's Balikatan, running through May 9 on the Philippine islands of Luzon and Palawan, marks 40 years of joint drills aimed at fortifying the Indo-Pacific. U.S. and Philippine troops will conduct coordinated military operations across land, sea, air, space and cyber domains for the exercise. The I Marine Expeditionary Force Command Element, 1st Marine Division, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, 1st Marine Logistics Group, 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment and 1st Marine Aircraft Wing will participate in the event. 'The MADIS continues to exceed expectations, and the more repetitions we get to integrate it with the [Philippine Marine Corps] in training, the more it will enhance our collective lethality,' said Lt. Col. Matthew E. Sladek, commanding officer of the 3rd Littoral Anti-Air Battalion.
