US Allies Deploy Anti-Ship Missiles Near China Amid Rising Tensions

URGENT UPDATE: Taiwan’s National Security Bureau has just revealed that Japan and the Philippines are deploying anti-ship missiles to counter China’s military expansion. This significant move comes amid escalating tensions in the region, highlighting the urgent need for defense against an increasingly assertive China.

During a public presentation on October 25, 2023, Taiwan’s top security agency disclosed specific locations of missile deployments, underscoring the growing military collaboration among U.S. allies in response to China’s aggressive territorial claims.

Why This Matters NOW: The deployments are a direct response to China’s naval assertiveness and territorial disputes in the East China Sea and South China Sea, raising potential flashpoints for conflict. Japan and the Philippines have been ramping up their defense budgets, signaling a unified front against the looming threat from Beijing.

China, which boasts the world’s largest navy, frequently sends vessels into contested waters, aggravating tensions. President Xi Jinping has reiterated his commitment to reunifying Taiwan with the mainland, even by force if necessary. This military pressure on Taiwan amplifies the urgency for neighboring countries to bolster their defenses.

The Taiwanese report indicates that the U.S. Army’s Mid-Range Capability (MRC), also known as Typhon, was deployed to the Philippines’ Zambales province in April 2024, and to Japan’s Yamaguchi Prefecture in September 2025 for joint military exercises. This system can fire both Standard Missile-6 (SM-6) interceptors and Tomahawk cruise missiles, capable of striking targets along China’s eastern coast.

Additionally, the U.S. has moved the NMESIS (Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System) to the Batanes, a crucial archipelago in the Bashi Channel, which is strategically located between Taiwan and the Philippines. This system, which fires the stealthy Naval Strike Missile, is critical for enhancing maritime security in the region.

China has condemned these missile deployments, labeling them a threat to regional stability.

“Such a move is provocative and dangerous… an extremely irresponsible choice,”

stated Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian last year, in response to reports about the Philippines’ defense strategies.

Looking forward, the Philippines plans to deploy BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to western Luzon and Palawan, enhancing its military capabilities. Japan is also advancing its plans to station Hypersonic Glide Vehicles (HVGPs) on Kyushu and Hokkaido, with operational deployment expected in 2024. These hypersonic missiles, capable of exceeding Mach 5, present a formidable challenge for interception and are designed to penetrate defenses of aircraft carrier groups.

The urgency of these developments cannot be overstated. The U.S. Congressional Research Service indicates that the presence of MRC units in the region could lead to an arms race, further destabilizing the Indo-Pacific. With both Japan and the Philippines enhancing their military capabilities, the strategic landscape is rapidly changing.

What to Watch For: As Japan and the Philippines finalize their military enhancements, the potential for conflict in the East China Sea and beyond remains high. The U.S. continues to monitor the situation closely, emphasizing the importance of a coordinated defense effort among allies. With China’s advancements in hypersonic weapons, the urgency for a robust defense strategy is more critical than ever.

Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story as the situation unfolds.