US NMESIS remains in Philippines for training with PMC

The United States' Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS) remains in the Philippines for ongoing training exercises with the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC).

Philippine Navy spokesperson Captain John Percie Alcos confirmed Tuesday that NMESIS is still within the country but declined to specify its location due to operational security.

During recent KAMANDAG and Balikatan exercises, PMC and US Marines conducted simulated exercises with NMESIS for safety reasons without firing any actual missiles.

Alcos emphasized that the presence of NMESIS serves as a deterrent against illegal or aggressive actions and is not aimed at any specific country like China.

The Philippine Army has expressed interest in acquiring similar missile systems, such as the Typhon, to enhance its defensive capabilities under the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept.