MADIS Deployment Enhances U.S.-Philippines Defense Cooperation
**The U.S. Marine Corps has initiated a new chapter in defense collaboration with the Philippines by deploying the Marine Air Defense Integrated System (MADIS) during upcoming joint exercises. Announced by the U.S. Department of Defense on April 19, 2025, this marks the first deployment of MADIS on Philippine soil, emphasizing a significant advancement in military cooperation between the two nations. The live-fire training of the Ground-Based Air Defense Unit from the 3rd Coast Air Defense Battalion will take place as part of the Balikatan 25 exercise, scheduled from April 21 to May 9, 2025.**
This year’s Balikatan exercise will see the U.S. Marines utilize the MADIS system for the first time, aimed at enhancing joint capabilities. The Ground-Based Air Defense Unit, responsible for operating MADIS, will conduct live-fire evaluations during an Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) event. In coordination with the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC), this joint effort will not only provide perimeter security but also showcase the Philippine forces’ counter-drone capabilities, illustrating a collaborative approach to modern warfare.
MADIS is engineered as a versatile, highly mobile air defense solution, tailor-made for challenging terrains like archipelagos and coastal regions. Its deployment aims to bolster unit protection and increase battlefield survivability, aligning with wider modernization initiatives of the U.S. Marine Corps. Furthermore, this deployment supports the Philippine Marine Corps’ own modernization efforts, strengthening their coastal defense capabilities while also providing invaluable integrated experiences with advanced air defense technologies.
The term “Balikatan,” meaning “shoulder to shoulder” in Tagalog, encapsulates the spirit of the military alliance between the U.S. and the Philippines. The annual Balikatan exercises aim to enhance the joint operational prowess of both nations, contributing to strategic deterrence in an increasingly volatile region where threats such as drone and missile advancements are becoming prevalent. This year’s exercises occur at a critical juncture in the Indo-Pacific, where maintaining air superiority and safeguarding deployed forces are paramount.
The MADIS air defense system, managed by the Ground-Based Air Defense Battery within the 3rd Coastal Air Defense Battalion of the U.S. Marine Corps, is crafted to support Marines in low-altitude air scenarios. The system’s capabilities include detection, tracking, identification, and engagement of various unmanned aerial threats using an array of missiles and advanced weaponry such as 30 mm automatic cannons and machine guns. As a key element of the Marines’ modernization strategy, MADIS is being integrated into light tactical wheeled vehicles that are equipped with advanced weaponry and electronic systems.
Designed to counter evolving aerial threats, MADIS employs a range of countermeasures including electronic jamming and a selection of missiles. With a total of 13 MADIS systems or 26 vehicles deployed within the Marine Corps, this highly mobile, short-range air defense system is poised to play a critical role in adapting to modern combat demands and enhancing operational readiness.
