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US anti-ship missile platform still in PH

Philippine News Agency

By Priam Nepomuceno
June 10, 2025, 3:30 pm

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.

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)