The US will deploy missile units in a Southeast Asian country.

The United States is planning to deploy advanced missile units to Japan and the Philippines to strengthen defense cooperation with key allies and counter threats.

A HIMARS high-mobility artillery rocket system at a US military training area in Okinawa Prefecture in 2020. (Source: Kyodo)

On November 25, Japan's Kyodo news agency quoted sources familiar with Japan-US relations as saying that Washington is planning to set up temporary bases in Japan and the Philippines to deploy missiles.

According to Kyodo , the US Marine Corps will deploy the Coastal Regiment - equipped with High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) and other weapons - on the Nansei Island chain in southwestern Japan.

The Japan Self-Defense Forces are expected to mainly provide logistical support for the US Marine unit, including providing fuel and ammunition.

Under the plan, Tokyo and Washington will include the new deployments in their first joint operations plan, expected to be drawn up next month.

Meanwhile, the US Army's Multi-Domain Task Force will deploy long-range firepower units in the Philippines.

Philippine Army spokesman Louie Dema-ala confirmed the information, but said the deployment was still in the preliminary planning stage.

Mr. Dema-ala added that although the plan is under the US's discretion, any implementation will follow the respective procedures in the Philippines.

At a press conference on November 25, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning declared that Beijing firmly opposes this plan, emphasizing that this will "increase tension and confrontation, disrupting regional peace and stability."

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