Indian Navy Joins World’s Largest Naval Exercise in Hawaii for RIMPAC 2026

The Indian Navy’s P-8i maritime patrol aircraft has arrived in Hawaii to participate in the Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC), the world’s largest naval exercise hosted by the United States Pacific Fleet.

The Indian Embassy in the United States stated on social media platform X that the Navy’s participation reaffirms India’s commitment to a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific by enhancing interoperability, maritime domain awareness and cooperation with partner navies.

The theme of the 30th Rim of the Pacific Exercise, designated RIMPAC 2026, is ‘Partners: Integrated and Prepared’. The series of exercises began in 1971.

This year, 30 nations are taking part, with over 30 surface ships, five submarines, 15 national land forces, more than 206 aircraft and 30,000 personnel involved in and around the Hawaiian Islands from June 24 to July 31.

RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants, which are critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world’s oceans.

“By training together in complex, realistic scenarios, participating nations improve readiness, sharpen warfighting skills, and strengthen the interoperability required to operate effectively alongside one another whenever and wherever needed,” said Vice Adm. Jeff Jablon, RIMPAC 2026 Commander, Combined Task Forces, in a statement issued by the U.S. Navy.

RIMPAC 2026 builds on the success of previous exercises by bringing together a coalition of allies and partners to demonstrate the flexibility and capability of maritime forces.

Training events include amphibious operations, gunnery and missile exercises, anti-submarine warfare, air defence operations, military medicine, humanitarian assistance and disaster response, counter-piracy operations, mine countermeasures, explosive ordnance disposal, and diving and salvage operations, according to the U.S. Navy.