Marines deploy drone-killing MADIS system for Balikatan drills

Annual US-Philippine Drills Showcase Cooperation Amid Rising China Tensions

The United States and the Philippine militaries are conducting annual joint combat exercises simulating the defense of the Philippine archipelago, as two allies seek to deter China’s growing assertiveness in the region. The Balikatan exercises, a long-running series of U.S.-Philippine military drills grounded in a mutual defense treaty, began on April 21 and will run through May 9, involving approximately 9,000 American and 5,000 Filipino person…

The Marines are deploying these new ship and drone killers to a strategic US ally in the Pacific

This year's Balikatan exercise will run through the beginning of May and include exercises on key Philippine islands.US Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jacqueline C. ParsonsUS Marines are deploying new anti-ship and anti-drone systems to the Philippines.NMESIS and MADIS will be placed in key areas for a joint exercise.It's the first NMESIS deployment to the Philippines and the second MADIS live-fire demo since it was fielded late last year.The US Mar…

Marines deploy drone-killing MADIS system for Balikatan drills

The exercise marks the first time the aerial defense system has been deployed outside the U.S. with a U.S. Marine Corps unit.

U.S. Marines’ Anti-Drone MADIS and Anti-Ship NMESIS Deployed for Balikatan 2025

MADIS delivers critical defense-oriented capabilities to the USMC and ensures the increased survivability of its formations, being able to work in conjunction with NMESIS by giving it time to emplace, fire, and displace. The U.S Marine Corps has deployed its newly fielded anti-drone Marine Air Defense Integrated System (MADIS) for this year’s

U.S. Marine Corps surpasses 1,000 flight hours with MQ-9A Reaper uncrewed aircraft

The exercises demonstrated the MQ-9A’s advanced capabilities, including the use of the SkyTower networking support pod, Automatic Identification System, and the latest-generation Lynx multi-mode radar. The joint Marine and GA-ASI teams also operated various tactical networks, showcasing the aircraft’s ability to support modern combat requirements. Flight operations included satellite launch and recovery at a strategic expeditionary landing field…

The latest news about the United States and the Philippines. As this year’s Balikatan exercises take place in the Philippines, we now know that U.S. Marines are literally pulling out heavy artillery. For the first time off U.S. soil, the Integrated Marine Air Defense System (MADIS) is being deployed in exercises with real fire, showing its accuracy and power against unmanned threats, according to the Marine Corps. Mounted in tactical vehicles an…