SAN ANTONIO, Philippines – The U.S. Marine Corps showcased the capabilities of its cutting-edge air defense system, the Marine Air Defense Integrated System (MADIS), for the first time in an overseas deployment during the ongoing annual joint military exercise "Balikatan" (Tagalog for 'shoulder-to-shoulder') on the western coast of Luzon, Philippines. As flares lit up the dusk sky, the 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment was observed operating the recently deployed MADIS during the exercise.

MADIS, armed with Stinger missiles, a 30mm cannon, and a 7.62mm machine gun, is the latest air defense system of the Marine Corps. It conducted its first live-fire training at a U.S. Marine Corps base in Hawaii this past January. Through this Balikatan exercise, MADIS is making its first overseas power projection, and its joint operational capabilities with the Philippine military will be assessed during the training period, which lasts until May 9th.

Approximately 9,000 U.S. troops and 5,000 Philippine soldiers are participating in this Balikatan exercise, conducting island defense training. MADIS was specifically developed to enhance defense capabilities against low-altitude threats such as helicopters, aircraft, and armed drones. These low-altitude threats are increasingly significant in modern battlefields, as seen in the Middle East and Ukraine, and could pose a serious threat in the event of a Taiwan contingency or an escalation of territorial disputes between the Philippines and China in the South China Sea.

During a live-fire exercise last Friday, the 3rd Littoral Regiment's air defense battalion deployed five light tactical vehicles equipped with MADIS at the Leovigildo Gantioqui Naval Base, a coastal training area near Subic Bay. Although multiple target drones were prepared for launch, the Marines focused their fire on ground targets positioned along the coastline.

"These things have become very prevalent on the battlefield," Marine Corps Col. John Lehane of the littoral combat regiment told Stars and Stripes before the exercise began, referring to drones. "We want to make sure we become very proficient at taking them out," added Lehane, an Iraq War veteran and drone hobbyist.

According to the Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance, a Virginia-based group that advocates for missile defense development and deployment, MADIS includes a radar capable of detecting aircraft at altitudes ranging from 30 feet to 30,000 feet and within a range of approximately 20 miles.

"The rapid proliferation of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) used for reconnaissance, targeting, and attack has made advanced air defense systems like MADIS essential to protecting our Marines and maintaining combat effectiveness," stated Lt. Col. Craig Warner, program manager for future weapon systems at Marine Corps Systems Command, in a statement released on December 13th. He added, "MADIS not only detects, tracks, and defeats aerial threats, but also serves as a powerful deterrent signal to adversaries that their air assets will not achieve success against U.S. forces."

During the exercise, the battalion's tan tactical vehicles stood out against Luzon's lush tropical greenery. Battalion commander Lt. Col. Matthew Sladek noted at the training site that the island's humidity was affecting some vehicles designed for desert environments. He mentioned that future MADIS vehicles would be painted green and upgraded with new features, though he did not disclose specifics.

In addition to MADIS, the 3rd Littoral Regiment brought another new weapon system to the Philippines for this exercise: the Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS). Col. Lehane stated that the littoral Marines would conduct training with this mobile system in northern Luzon and the Batanes Islands. NMESIS launches Navy strike missiles capable of hitting targets about 115 miles away and consists of a 7-ton vehicle-mounted launcher and two light tactical vehicles. The Marine Corps acquired NMESIS last November.

NMESIS plays a crucial role in the Marine Corps' "Force Design" strategy, which involves deploying small units to key island chokepoints to deny enemy maritime access. The straits between northern Philippines and Taiwan, namely the Luzon Strait and the Bashi Channel, are considered strategically important in the event of a Taiwan contingency. China regularly sends aircraft carriers and frigates through the Bashi Channel into the waters east of Taiwan and flies military aircraft over the area.

"If you can control key terrain, you can control the commercial activity that goes through there," emphasized Col. Lehane. The deployment of the U.S. Marine Corps' latest air defense and coastal defense systems in this Balikatan exercise is seen as a significant step in demonstrating the U.S.'s commitment to defending its allies amid increasing uncertainty in the regional security environment.