Naval Forces Convene in Hawaii for RIMPAC 2022

The world’s largest multi-national maritime exercise, the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) starts today, drawing the participation of 26 nations, 38 surface ships, four submarines, nine national land forces, more than 170 aircraft and approximately 25,000 personnel, in the series of drills that will be held from June 29 to August 4, 2022.

The theme for this year’s exercise is “Capable, Adaptive, Partners.”

RIMPAC 2022 will see naval forces of Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Denmark, Ecuador, France, Germany, India, Israel, Indonesia, the Philippines, Peru, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore, Sri Lanka, South Korea, Thailand, Tonga, United Kingdom, showcasing their capabilities with that of host nation, the United States.

Taiwan, which were earlier slated to exercise, was left out, with reports stating that the reason was due the United States desire to avoid confrontation with China.

It will be another benchmark for the Philippines this year, as the nation deploys its second missile frigate, BRP Andres Bonifacio for this year’s exercise. The archipelagic nation deployed the first missile frigate, BRP Jose Rizal in the 2020 iteration of the exercise. Both vessels are manufactured by South Korea’s shipbuilder, Hyundai Heavy Industries.

The participating forces will carry out a variety of missions including disaster relief, sea control, maritime security operations and other complex warfighting.

RIMPAC will involve realistic training programmes such as mine clearance operations, amphibious operations, gunnery, anti-submarine and air defence exercises, counter-piracy operations, diving and salvage operations and explosive ordnance disposal. –shp/adj/aaa (Image: US Navy)