US to deploy new missile system for 1st time in Balikatan joint exercise with Philippines

Balikatan 25 drill is taking place from April 21 to May 9 in Luzon Strait

By Anadolu staff

ANKARA (AA) - A US Marine Corps regiment equipped with Naval Strike Missiles is set to join a joint military drill in the Philippines starting this Thursday, marking the system’s inaugural deployment, multiple media outlets reported on Thursday.

The joint military drill Balikatan 25 is taking place from April 21 to May 9 in the Luzon Strait, which lies between the Philippines' Luzon Island and Taiwan, The Taipei Times reported, citing US-based Naval News.

The two sides separately confirmed that the Navy Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS) – the mobile launch platform for the Naval Strike Missile – would take part in the joint exercise.

The missiles are being deployed to “a strategic first island chain choke point” in the waters between Taiwan and the Philippines.

The Naval Strike Missile has a reported operational range of more than 185 kilometers (115 miles).

The state-run Philippine News Agency said the US Marine Corps had deployed an unspecified number of NMESIS launchers in the Philippines, citing Philippine Army Brig. Gen. Michael Logico.

Balikatan 25 is part of a larger joint exercise involving 3,000 Filipino and 2,000 US troops.

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