The US 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment (MLR) has received the Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS) in a ceremony at Dewey Square on Marine Corps Base Hawaii.
NMESIS is a mountable, ground-based anti-ship missile launcher that will be operated by the Medium-Range Missile Battery under the 3rd Littoral Combat Team.
Both are components of the 3rd MLR specializing in amphibious and littoral warfare operations in the Indo-Pacific region.
Meanwhile, the Fire Support Coordination Center within the regiment will ensure the system’s integration into broader military operations via the Maritime Dynamic Targeting Process.
“Upon receipt of the NMESIS weapon system, 3rd MLR has an enhanced sea denial capability and is positioned at the forefront of strategic transformation,” said 3rd Littoral Combat Team Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Timothy W. Love.
“This addition deepens naval integration and strengthens deterrence by providing coverage from coastal positions, extending the Joint Force’s ability to target and engage from both land and sea.”
Meanwhile, 3rd MLR Commanding Officer Col. John G. Lehane stated, “Moving the NMESIS from the category of Initial Test and Operational Evaluation to a fielded weapon system is a significant milestone for 3rd MLR.”
In 2021, the US Marines tested NMESIS when it hit a decommissioned vessel off the coast of Kauai in Hawaii and scored a direct hit against a surface target at sea.