MANILA, 28 MAY – The United States-made Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS) anti-ship missile system is being featured in the ongoing bilateral exercise “Kamandag” between the Philippine Marine Corps and the United States Marine Corps.
Philippine Navy spokesperson Captain John Percie Alcos said the system’s deployment is intended to facilitate joint training with other marine forces.
According to him, NMESIS is not aimed at addressing any specific threat or issue.
“The use of NMESIS is part of Kamandag. Its purpose is to allow us to conduct joint operations with other marine corps or forces from other countries,” he said, as reported by Philippine media.
“Kamandag,” which stands for Kaagapay ng Mga Mandirigma Mula sa Dagat, began on May 26 and is scheduled to run until June 6. A maritime strike demonstration is set to take place later this week in Burgos, Ilocos Norte.
Captain Alcos noted that whether the NMESIS system will be actively launched depends on the actual situation and specific criteria on the day of the demonstration.
He also stated that the deployment is part of the Philippines’ ongoing efforts to optimise training with the platform.
“As previously mentioned, we have submitted to higher headquarters and the Department of National Defense a list of critical capabilities the Navy or the Armed Forces of the Philippines intends to acquire. NMESIS is one of them,” he explained.
Responding to questions about potential reactions from other countries, Captain Alcos emphasized that no external party has the right to interfere in the Philippines’ decisions regarding military asset deployment.
“I believe the Secretary of National Defense has stated this clearly. No country has the right to meddle in the deployment of assets—whether our own or those of our allies. We will continue to train and cooperate with our allies in the interest of enhancing combined operations,” he said.
NMESIS is a land-based anti-ship missile system designed to strike surface vessels from coastal positions, with an estimated range of about 100 nautical miles. – airtimes.my
