FORT BONIFACIO, Taguig City – The Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) led by Commandant MGen Nestor C Herico PN(M) activated the new Shore-Based Anti-Ship Missile (SBASM) Battalion (Provisional) on 3-April-2022. The SBASM Battalion, the first in the Philippines, will be operating an anti-ship missile system that can quickly detect, track, chase, and destroy maritime targets.

“The activation of SBASM will certainly add to drumbeat the heartbeat, and deliver the knockout punch for our archipelagic coastal defense capability,” said Maj. Gen. Herico. The new battalion will be in charge of the newly acquired BrahMos missiles from India, which are considered to be the world’s fastest cruise missiles.

A shore-based missile system is a significant part of a coastal defense system to maintain maritime security while in a defensive posture. Guided by the Philippine Navy Active Archipelagic Defense Strategy and PMC’s Archipelagic Coastal Defense Concept, the shore-based missile system aims to address the military weakness and vulnerability in sea control, anti-access/area-denial, and coastal and island defense operations. MGen Herico tasked Lt Col Miguel P Perez PN(M), the newly installed SBASM Commanding Officer, to train Marines under his command and set the ground running for the new battalion.

The PMC is expecting to receive coastal batteries next year from BrahMos Aerospace Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi (BAPL).

The activation was attended by foreign dignitaries; the Commanding General, 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment, USMC; the Director of JUSMAG-Philippines; USMC attaché to the Philippines, and the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of BrahMos.