Philstar
Balikatan 2025 to showcase major missile systems
The United States will deploy advanced military capabilities, including the NMESIS anti-ship missile system, to the Philippines during the Balikatan joint military exercise in April.
This deployment is part of an agreement between the US and Philippine defense officials to enhance deterrence in the Indo-Pacific region and is a sign of the US doubling down on its partnership with the Philippines.
The US is also providing $500 million in foreign military financing and security assistance to support the Philippines' military modernization efforts.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that the NMESIS and unmanned surface vehicles will allow both forces to train together in defending Philippine sovereignty.
Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. welcomed the deployment, highlighting its importance in accelerating the integration of advanced technologies into the Armed Forces of the Philippines for future deterrence.
Hegseth assured the Philippines of America's commitment amid China's aggression in the Indo-Pacific, emphasizing that the alliance is stronger than ever and the partnership will accelerate.
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The United States is set to deploy the Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS), a mobile anti-ship missile launcher, and unmanned surface vessels in the Philippines.
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The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) welcomes reports of a potential deployment of additional US Medium Range Capability (MRC) Typhon missile systems to the country.
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The Philippines and the United States have commenced Marine Exercise 2025 (MAREX25), a two-week bilateral training event involving approximately 480 marines from both nations, taking place at Camp Iranun in Maguindanao del Norte.
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US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth will visit Manila from March 28 to 29, 2025, to meet with Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
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Philippine and US military engineering units are collaborating on the construction of a multi-purpose facility in Barangay Dagupan, Lal-lo, Cagayan, as part of the upcoming "Balikatan" exercises.
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