Report: South China Sea at center of US missile deployment talks in Philippines.

On August 15, 2025, Philippine Ambassador to Washington Jose Manuel Romualdez told Arkansas Online that the United States and the Philippines were discussing the possible deployment of additional American missile launchers on Philippine territory. The initiative would aim to strengthen deterrence amid growing tensions in the South China Sea and other strategic areas of Asia. Romualdez specified that the issue was “under consideration” by both countries, but that no final decision had been made yet.
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U.S. Marines conduct a notional fire mission with the Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System during the Maritime Key Terrain Security Operation  in the Philippines, May 27, 2025 (Picture source: US DoD)

Last year, as part of joint exercises, the U.S. military delivered a mid-range missile system known as Typhon to the Philippines. This land-based platform can fire the Standard Missile 6 (SM-6), capable of intercepting aerial or naval targets, as well as the Tomahawk Land Attack Missile (TLAM), designed for long-range precision strikes against land targets. Its deployment in the northern Philippines marked an initial step in enhancing strike capabilities alongside Washington.

This was followed in April by the transfer of an anti-ship missile launcher to the northern province of Batanes, located near Taiwan. This deployment forms part of an anti-access strategy, intended to restrict the maneuvering space of Chinese forces in strategic areas close to the Taiwan Strait.

These developments prompted strong reactions from Beijing, which views them as an attempt to contain its rise and argues that such deployments undermine regional stability. China asked Manila to withdraw the systems, but President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his government rejected the demand.

According to Ambassador Romualdez, the potential deployment of additional NMESIS (Navy Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System) launchers is also under discussion. This mobile system fires Naval Strike Missiles (NSM) designed to neutralize surface vessels and could be positioned along the Philippine coastlines facing the South China Sea. The NMESIS would enhance anti-access capabilities by increasing the risks associated with any hostile naval operations in the region.

In addition to these strike assets, Washington demonstrated the MADIS (Marine Air Defense Integrated System) during joint exercises in Zambales last April. This mobile air defense system is designed to counter drones, low-flying aircraft, and short-range threats, providing complementary protection to long-range strike systems. Its inclusion highlights the effort to integrate offensive and defensive layers within the bilateral security partnership.

Romualdez stressed that this military cooperation is part of the longstanding defense partnership between the two countries. On the sidelines of these discussions, he took part in a trade and investment conference in Manila with Philippine Foreign Secretary Theresa Lazaro. Both officials encouraged major American companies to invest in areas such as energy, telecommunications, infrastructure, and naval shipbuilding. Romualdez noted that strengthening the Philippine economy directly contributes to its role as a reliable defense partner for Washington.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth visited Manila in March during his first Asian tour. He emphasized the Trump administration’s intention to reinforce deterrence with allies against global threats, particularly those linked to Chinese actions in the South China Sea. Hegseth stated that the United States was not preparing for war but underlined that peace could only be ensured “through strength.”

The South China Sea remains one of the world’s most sensitive flashpoints. China claims almost the entire maritime area, while the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan maintain overlapping claims. Confrontations between Chinese and Philippine coast guard vessels have increased in recent years, fueling regional concern.

Just this week, two Chinese ships, one navy vessel and one coast guard ship, collided near Scarborough Shoal while attempting to drive away a Philippine coast guard patrol. In response, the United States briefly deployed two warships in the area as part of a “freedom of navigation” operation, sparking a new episode of diplomatic tension.

U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson stated that these operations were meant to ensure freedom of navigation, essential for global commerce. She stressed that the security of these waters was vital not only for economic prosperity but also for livelihoods across the region.

Ultimately, the prospect of an expanded U.S. military presence in the Philippines underscores the determination of both Manila and Washington to consolidate their defense partnership in the face of an increasingly assertive China. With long-range strike systems such as Typhon, mobile anti-ship assets like NMESIS, and air defense protection provided by MADIS, the two allies seek to establish a balanced deterrence posture. While no formal decision has yet been announced, ongoing discussions reflect the growing priority attached to regional security and the safeguarding of vital maritime routes.