Marines Deploy New NMESIS Anti-Ship Missile System in Hawaii

The Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS) has been officially integrated into the armament of the 3d Marine Littoral Regiment, 3d Marine Division, thereby demonstrating a substantial improvement in the Marine Corps' anti-ship capabilities. This week, the regiment, which is situated in Oahu, Hawaii, acquired the state-of-the-art weapon system.

The Marines' capacity to neutralize naval threats in the Pacific theater, a critical area of focus amid evolving global security challenges, is improved by NMESIS, which is specifically designed for coastal and littoral defense. The system employs Naval Strike Missiles with a range of 115 miles, which are capable of neutralizing hostile ships that are attempting to approach or attack island positions.

During a ceremony at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Col. John G. Lehane, commander of the 3d Marine Littoral Regiment, stated, "The NMESIS provides this regiment with a powerful sea denial capability in support of our mission-critical mission to 'Attack Enemy Maritime Targets.'" He underscored its integration with the Fleet, the Marine Air-Ground Task Force, and allied forces.

One distinguishing characteristic of NMESIS is its remote operation capability. The missile launchers are mounted on uncrewed Joint Light Tactical Vehicles, which enables Marines to control and discharge the missiles from a safe distance, thereby reducing their vulnerability to counterattacks.

This deployment is the first operational fielding of the NMESIS, which has been in development and testing for years. The Marine Corps' dedication to improving its strategic capabilities in the Pacific region is emphasized by the inclusion of this system.