By Priam Nepomuceno | Philippine News Agency
On Tuesday, April 22, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said the deployment of advanced US weapons platforms in the ongoing “Balikatan” exercise will greatly enhance the interoperability of both forces, aside from boosting the ongoing modernization program of the Philippine military.
“The AFP welcomes the US deployment of NMESIS, MRC (Medium Range Capability) Typhon, and the Marine Air Defense Integrated System (MADIS) for Balikatan 2025. These assets will boost joint training, improve interoperability, and support the AFP’s ongoing modernization,” AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said when asked on the importance of the integration of these systems in the ongoing drills.
NMESIS is short for the US Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System, which was earlier described as a mobile anti-ship missile system with a range of 100 nautical miles.
Meanwhile, the MRC Typhon is a weapons platform capable of firing long range missiles like Tomahawk Land Attack Missile and the Standard Missile-6 and is believed to have a range at least 1,000 nautical miles.
MADIS is described as a mobile air defense system consisting of two JLTVs (joint light tactical vehicles) equipped with 30mm cannons, stinger-surface-to-air missiles and various sensor systems for detecting and tracking intruding aircraft.
“The systems are being brought in for training purposes to upskill our personnel and strengthen operational readiness,” Padilla said.
She also said the AFP remains committed to enhancing its capabilities through joint training and cooperation as today’s battlespace calls for the efficient use of these systems.
“It’s not just about having the tools, but knowing how to use them with precision,” Padilla said.
During Monday’s opening rites for this year’s “Balikatan”, US Marine Forces Pacific commander Lt. Gen. James Glynn, who is also tapped as the US exercise director for the annual exercise, said they will introduce new capabilities like NMESIS, MADIS, and the MRC Typhon.
“All here to bring together our capabilities to demonstrate and reassure the region that while we remain committed to peace, we also possess credible combat power that backs up that commitment, the commitment and our promise to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific,” Glynn said. (PNA)
