The U.S. Marine Corps has officially deployed new missile systems and an integrated air defense system in Okinawa, Japan. This move comes in response to China's recent unveiling of hypersonic missiles, amid rising military tensions between the U.S. and China in the East China Sea.
According to the Nihon Keizai Shimbun (Nikkei) on June 22, the U.S. Marines stationed in Okinawa announced the deployment of the new missile system, named 'Nemesis (NMESIS),' and the integrated air defense system 'MADIS.'
Nemesis is a ground-launched missile system that can be remotely operated from unmanned vehicles. MADIS is designed to counter drones and low-altitude aircraft. Both systems will be operated by the 12th Marine Littoral Regiment (MLR) based in Okinawa.
The Marine Corps is implementing a strategy to disperse troops across the Nansei Islands in case of emergencies, maintaining anti-ship strike capabilities in various regions. The newly deployed Nemesis and MADIS systems are noted for their high mobility, allowing for rapid deployment in island areas.
The Marine Corps stated, "The ability to rapidly deploy and operate these systems is crucial for maintaining immediate response readiness and effectively addressing various security threats."
The Marine Corps plans to publicly showcase the two systems at Camp Hansen in Okinawa on June 30, the last day of the joint exercise 'Resolute Dragon' with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, which began on June 20. During last year's joint exercise, Nemesis and MADIS were briefly deployed at the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force's Ishigaki base.
This deployment coincides with China's recent public demonstration of its Dongfeng (DF)-17 hypersonic missile launch, ahead of the U.S.-led Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC). According to China Central Television (CCTV), the military channel 'Military Situation Report' showcased training footage on June 20, revealing preparations for the launch of the Dongfeng-17 and the Dongfeng-26, known as the 'Guam Killer,' highlighting their long-range precision strike capabilities.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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