In News:

The United States has launched Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2026, the world's largest multinational maritime exercise, being conducted from 24 June to 31 July 2026 around the Hawaiian Islands.

About Exercise RIMPAC

• The Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) is the world's largest international maritime exercise, hosted by the U.S. Navy's Pacific Fleet and conducted biennially (every two years) in and around the Hawaiian Islands.
• Since its inception in 1971, the exercise has served as a premier platform for strengthening military cooperation, improving interoperability among participating armed forces, and promoting stability across the Indo-Pacific region.
• It enables participating countries to train together in complex maritime operations while fostering trust, defence diplomacy and collective preparedness.

RIMPAC 2026: Key Highlights

The 30th edition of RIMPAC is being conducted under the theme "Partners: Integrated and Prepared." The exercise witnesses participation from 31 countries, involving over 25,000 military personnel, around 40 surface ships, 5 submarines, and nearly 140 aircraft, making it one of the largest multinational military exercises in the world.

The exercise includes a broad spectrum of operations such as:

• Anti-submarine warfare
• Air defence operations
• Missile and gunnery exercises
• Amphibious assault operations
• Mine countermeasure operations
• Maritime interdiction
• Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR)
• Search and Rescue (SAR)
• Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD)

These activities are designed to enhance operational readiness and interoperability among participating navies and armed forces.

India's Participation

• India has been participating in RIMPAC since 2014, reflecting its growing role in the Indo-Pacific maritime architecture.
• The participation of the Indian Navy demonstrates India's commitment to enhancing naval cooperation, improving interoperability with partner countries, and contributing towards a free, open, inclusive and rules-based Indo-Pacific.
• The exercise also complements India's maritime initiatives such as SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI).

Significance of RIMPAC

RIMPAC has evolved beyond a naval exercise into an important platform for strategic cooperation and maritime governance.

• Enhancing Collective Maritime Security: The exercise strengthens the ability of participating nations to respond jointly to conventional and non-conventional maritime threats, including piracy, maritime terrorism, illegal fishing and other security challenges.
• Improving Interoperability: Joint training enables armed forces from different countries to operate together using common operational procedures, communication systems and tactical doctrines, thereby improving effectiveness during multinational operations.
• Promoting a Rules-Based Indo-Pacific: RIMPAC supports the vision of a free, open and rules-based Indo-Pacific, encouraging adherence to international law, freedom of navigation and peaceful resolution of maritime disputes.
• Strengthening Defence Diplomacy: The exercise builds confidence among participating nations through military-to-military engagement, fostering long-term strategic partnerships and regional stability.
• Enhancing Disaster Response Capabilities: Regular Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) drills improve coordination among participating countries during natural disasters and humanitarian emergencies, which are common across the Indo-Pacific region.