US forces deploy anti-ship missiles in Philippines and stage live-fire drills near China hotspots

U.S. forces deploy anti-ship missiles in Philippines and stage live-fire drills near China hotspots

The U.S. military has deployed an anti-ship missile launcher for the first time on Batan Island in the Philippines, as Marines unloaded the high-precision weapon on the northern tip of the archipelago, just a sea border away from Taiwan.

US deploys anti-ship missiles in Philippines, close to Taiwan, amid Chinese belligerence

While both Washington and Manila have denied that the exercises are aimed at any specific country, the messaging— and the locations chosen— appear to leave little doubt. China's government has fiercely condemned the drills, accusing the US of provocation in the region

US deploys anti-ship missiles in Philippines amid China tensions

The allies also unleashed a barrage of artillery fire during the Balikatan exercises in a province facing the South China Sea.

US deploys anti-ship missile, holds live-fire drills near China hotspots in WPS

A U.S. Marine Air Defense Integrated System, or MADIS, fires at a drone during a live-fire joint Philippines-U.S. military exercise at the Philippine Navy training camp in San Antonio, Zambales province, northern Philippines Sunday, April 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila) BATAN ISLAND, Philippines — The US military has deployed an anti-ship missile launcher for the first time on Batan Island in the Philippines, as Marines unloaded the high-preci…

US forces deploy anti-ship missiles in Philippines and stage live-fire drills near China hotspots

The mock battle scenarios under the annual Balikatan military exercises between the United States and the Philippines over the weekend have not only simulated real-life war.

US deploys NMESIS missile system during Balikatan 2025

The US Marine Corps successfully deployed on Saturday its land-based missile system Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS) during the Balikatan 2025 in Luzon.