Photos Show US Firing Patriot Missiles in West Pacific Drill

The United States recently conducted a live-fire exercise with Patriot air defense missiles in Palau, a key ally in the western Pacific that helps counter China’s growing military threat.

The U.S. Army said the integrated air and missile defense drill, code-named Tenacious Archer 25, was to demonstrate its commitment to regional security and stability.

China’s Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to a written request for comment.

Why It Matters

According to the State Department, the U.S. maintains a unique relationship with Palau—southeast of the Philippines and north of Indonesia—under the Compact of Free Association, through which Washington provides the Pacific island country’s defense and security.

Palau also forms part of the second island chain in the U.S.’s Indo-Pacific strategy, a north-south defensive line of islands stretching from Japan to New Guinea via Guam. The strategy seeks to project military power and deter potential Chinese aggression in the western Pacific.

The Patriot is one of the U.S.’s primary air and missile defense systems, recently tested in combat in the Middle East. The U.S. Army deploys two Patriot units in Japan and South Korea to intercept tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, drones and advanced aircraft.

What To Know

According to videos released by the 38th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, the U.S. Army unit responsible for air and missile defense forces in Japan and Guam, multiple Patriot Advanced Capability-2 (PAC-2) interceptor missiles were fired during Exercise Tenacious Archer 25.

The exercise took place at Palau International Airport from August 14 to 22, with Patriot live-fire events between August 19 and 21. PAC-2 interceptor missiles, which have a range of more than 60 miles, were fired at an unknown number of MQM-185 Banshee drone targets.

This was not the first time the U.S. Army conducted a Patriot missile live-fire drill in Palau. The first was held in 2022. During that inaugural exercise, two PAC-2 interceptor missiles successfully destroyed a simulated cruise missile target and its largest piece of debris.

The recent Patriot live-fire drill comes as Taiwan, a U.S. security partner and China’s rival, conducted a similar event on August 20. However, a PAC-2 interceptor missile exploded seconds after launch during an annual exercise, and Taiwan’s military is investigating the cause.

As China continues to expand its military activities around the second island chain, the U.S. has bolstered its presence in Palau, including sending a Coast Guard national security cutter for a visit in June and deploying F-35A stealth fighter jets during an exercise in July.

What People Are Saying

The U.S. Army 38th Air Defense Artillery Brigade said on Tuesday: “Exercise Tenacious Archer 25 is a training event designed to build interoperability, capacity, and relationships that deter aggression and promote peace through strength.”

The U.S. Embassy in Palau wrote on Facebook on August 11: “Live-fire exercises like this are one of the most valuable ways for air defenders to train, ensuring we have the ability to defend our Allies and partners. Conducting training in different locations across the region enables us to continue enhancing our proficiency to support a free and open Indo-Pacific.”

What Happens Next

It remains unclear whether the U.S. will conduct further exercises with Patriot interceptor missiles in the western Pacific to demonstrate its air and missile defense capabilities.