US to deploy NMESIS during Balikatan exercise

The United States plans to deploy additional military capabilities, including the Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS), during this year's Balikatan joint military exercise in April.

US Defense Secretary Peter Brian Hegseth announced that both countries agreed to strengthen deterrence and use the US' $500 million commitment for military modernization in the Philippines, emphasizing enhanced interoperability through special operations forces training in Batanes Islands.

Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. welcomed the deployment of NMESIS, highlighting its role in training troops on advanced technologies and prioritizing bilateral defense industrial cooperation.

Analysts suggest that while this move could improve military modernization efforts, it may also provoke a military response from China due to heightened tensions in the South China Sea.

Other initiatives include publishing a joint statement outlining priority areas for cooperation such as co-producing unmanned systems and increasing combined logistics support, along with launching a cybersecurity campaign to reduce cyber vulnerabilities across the alliance.