World’s largest international naval exercise RIMPAC 2026 kicks off

RIMPAC 2026, the world’s largest international naval exercise led by the US Navy, has commenced in the Pacific Ocean near the Hawaiian Islands.

The drills, which will run through the end of the month, involve naval forces from 30 countries, Caliber.Az reports, citing the US Pacific Command.

Participating assets include 31 surface ships, five submarines, 197 aircraft, and around 30,000 military personnel, including 1,100 Marines.

Exercise commander US Navy Vice Adm. Jeffrey Jablon said participants will conduct anti-submarine and air defence operations, amphibious landing drills, coastal mine-clearing missions, humanitarian assistance activities, disaster response exercises, and search-and-rescue operations.

In addition, RIMPAC 2026 is expected to feature between 30 and 35 experiments involving unmanned systems.

“250 years, the United States has built relationships with international partners based on trust, cooperation, and shared values. RIMPAC is where we put that trust into practice, strengthening the people-to-people relationships that are the bedrock of our collective security,” Jablon said.

The US contingent taking part in the exercise includes the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt, as well as the guided-missile destroyers USS Paul Hamilton, USS Decatur, USS Wayne E. Meyer, and USS Carl M. Levin.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov