Philippine Navy deploys US-made NMESIS during Kamandag

The US-made Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS) will be deployed during this year's 'Kamandag' exercises between Filipino and US Marine Corps units, the Philippine Navy announced on Tuesday.

Capt. John Percie Alcos emphasized that the deployment of NMESIS is aimed at enhancing joint operations with other nations and not in response to any specific threats or issues adjacent to where it will be fired.

'Kamandag,' which runs from May 26 to June 6, aims to maximize training activities for the NMESIS platform, including a maritime strike demonstration scheduled for later this week in Burgos, Ilocos Norte, contingent on weather conditions and criteria met during the event.

The Philippine Marine Corps commandant Maj. Gen. Arturo Rojas said that if conditions permit, live-fire exercises involving the NMESIS will be conducted as part of Kamandag training objectives to strengthen interoperability between Filipino and US forces.

Alcos reaffirmed that no country has the right to interfere with the Philippines' deployment of military assets or its decision on conducting joint operations with allies, asserting that the objective is to enhance combined operations for future cooperation in ensuring regional peace and security.

The NMESIS is a highly mobile coastal anti-ship missile system capable of striking hostile surface vessels from land-based positions, with a range of about 100 nautical miles.