US Allies Deploy Anti-Ship Missiles Near China, Heightening Tensions

BREAKING: Taiwan’s National Security Bureau has revealed that Japan and the Philippines are actively deploying anti-ship missiles in a bold response to escalating tensions with China. This urgent move, disclosed during a presentation on Wednesday, highlights the growing military collaboration among U.S. allies in the region.

The missile deployments come at a critical time as the regional environment grows increasingly volatile. Both Japan and the Philippines face territorial disputes with China, which boasts the world’s largest navy and frequently sends vessels into contested waters, raising the stakes for potential conflicts.

Beijing’s assertive military posture is not only pressuring Taiwan, which it claims as its own, but is also compelling neighboring countries to bolster their defenses. President Xi Jinping’s intention to unify Taiwan with the mainland, potentially by force, has heightened fears across the region.

In its presentation, Taiwan’s security agency emphasized that China’s military expansion poses a direct threat to its neighbors, fostering an urgent need for “common deterrence.” U.S. partners in the region are increasingly forming security agreements to reinforce the so-called “first island chain”, crucial for containing Chinese military forces during potential conflicts.

Recent deployments include the U.S. Army’s Mid-Range Capability (MRC) system, also known as Typhon. This system was stationed in the Philippines’ Zambales province in April 2024 and in Japan’s Yamaguchi Prefecture in September 2025 for joint military exercises. These actions have drawn strong condemnation from China, which deems the missile systems a significant threat to regional stability.

The MRC system can launch both Standard Missile-6 (SM-6) interceptors and Tomahawk cruise missiles, capable of hitting targets along China’s eastern coastline. Additionally, the U.S. has moved the Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS) to the Batanes province in the Philippines. This strategic location serves as a chokepoint for Chinese naval vessels accessing the Pacific.

In September, the mobile NMESIS, which fires the advanced Naval Strike Missile, was relocated to Japan’s Okinawa Prefecture for U.S. Marine Corps training to enhance land-based anti-ship capabilities.

Officials are voicing their concerns. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian labeled the missile deployments “provocative and dangerous,” warning that they jeopardize regional security. Meanwhile, the U.S. Congressional Research Service noted that the presence of Mid-Range Capability batteries could escalate tensions, potentially leading to an arms race in the Indo-Pacific region.

Looking ahead, the Philippines plans to deploy BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to western Luzon and Palawan, its westernmost major island. Japan is also advancing its own military capabilities, aiming to station Hypersonic Glide Vehicles (HVGPs) on Kyushu and Hokkaido. The Philippines has already acquired two batches of BrahMos missiles, becoming the first foreign operator of this cutting-edge system.

The HVGP system, equipped with maneuverable warheads and capable of exceeding speeds of Mach 5, is designed to penetrate advanced defense systems, making it a formidable asset against potential adversaries. With China also developing hypersonic weapons, concerns about military balance are intensifying.

As these developments unfold, the regional dynamics are shifting rapidly. The situation continues to evolve, with both Japan and the Philippines enhancing their military readiness to counteract China’s aggressive posture. As tensions heighten, the implications of these deployments resonate not just in East Asia but globally, making this a critical moment for international security and stability.

Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops.