United States to deploy anti-ship missiles near Taiwan during Japan drills

The United States plans to deploy the Navy/Marine Corps Expeditionary Advanced Base Command System (NMESIS) to Yonaguni Island during the upcoming ‘Keen Sword’ joint military exercises with Japan. Scheduled to take place from October 19 to 29, the biennial exercise is one of the largest bilateral drills between the two nations.

Yonaguni Island is located approximately 110 kilometers from the eastern coast of Taiwan. The NMESIS anti-ship missile system has an estimated range of about 185 kilometers (115 miles), which would allow it to target vessels in the waters surrounding Taiwan.

In addition to the U.S. deployment, the Japan Self-Defense Forces may deploy their own anti-ship and surface-to-air missile systems, along with electronic warfare equipment, during the drills. This follows previous U.S. activities on the island, including supply transport exercises last year designed to simulate the establishment of forward operating bases during regional crises.