US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth disclosed that they would deploy additional advanced capabilities to the Philippines, including an anti-ship missile launcher Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS).

US Department of Defense said missile system NMESIS will be deployed during this year’s Balikatan joint military exercise.

Hegseth also said that both countries agreed on the next steps to strengthen deterrence in the Indo-Pacific.

Aside from the missile system, the US will also include utilizing the US’ ongoing $500 million commitment in foreign military financing and other security assistance for the Philippines’ military modernization.

“First, we agreed that the United States will deploy additional advanced capabilities to the Philippines. This includes using the NMESIS, anti-ship missile system, and highly capable unmanned surface vehicles in exercise Balikatan this April,” Hegseth said.

“These systems will enable US Forces and the Armed Forces of the Philippines to train together on using advanced capabilities to defend the Philippines’ sovereignty,” he added.

Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. welcomed the NMESIS deployment, emphasizing its role in modernizing the country’s military.

“The deployment of the NMESIS and other unmanned surface vehicles will hasten the introduction of these technologies into the vista of the Philippine Armed Forces and will train our troops for the higher technological capabilities that we need for effective deterrence in the future,” Teodoro said.

In addition to deploying NMESIS, Hegseth outlined other key initiatives agreed upon by the US and the Philippines to bolster regional security:

Conducting advanced bilateral Special Operations Forces training in the Batanes Islands

Publishing a bilateral defense industrial cooperation vision statement

Launching a bilateral cybersecurity campaign

Regarding reports of a second Typhon Mid-Range Capability (MRC) deployment, Teodoro declined to confirm or deny the matter.

“On the multi-medium range capabilities, we will neither confirm nor deny any deployments,” he stated. “We will train as we see fit, and the Philippine Armed Forces will equip as it sees fit.”