U.S. Marines Deploy New Anti-Ship Missile and Air Defense Systems in Japan, Enhancing Indo-Pacific Defense

U.S. Marines with the 12th Marine Littoral Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, received the Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS) and the Marine Air Defense Integrated System (MADIS) in Okinawa, Japan, in June 2026. This deployment introduces new expeditionary strike and air defense capabilities to forward-deployed Marine forces in the Indo-Pacific, strengthening interoperability with the Japan Self-Defense Forces and reinforcing deterrence against Chinese coercion.