The world’s largest international maritime exercise, Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2014, is set to begin on 6 June in the waters surrounding the Hawaiian Islands.
The biennial event, which will run through to 1 August, is targeted at combating terrorism and piracy.
Around 47 ships, six submarines, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel from twenty-three nations will participate.
Themed as ‘capable, adaptive, partners’, RIMPAC 2014 is the 24th in the series, and is aimed at demonstrating the collaborative defence efforts required in maintaining peace and stability in the Pacific region.
During the drill hosted by the US Pacific Fleet, participating nations and forces will train on a broad range of capabilities, as well as demonstrate the inherent flexibility of maritime forces, ranging from disaster relief and maritime security operations to sea control and complicated fighting.
The drill also involves amphibious operations, gunnery, missile, anti-submarine and air defence exercises, in addition to counter-piracy, mine clearance operations, explosive ordnance disposal and diving and salvage operations.
Navies from Australia, Canada, Chile, Colombia, France, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand and Norway will take part.
Furthermore, RIMPAC will welcome the navies of Peru, the Republic of Korea, the Republic of the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Tonga, the UK and the US, with Brunei and the People’s Republic of China taking part for the first time.
The multinational maritime exercise will also provide training opportunities to reinforce and sustain critical cooperative relationships, while assuring the safety of sea lanes and security.
Image: The US Navy’s USS Essex (LHD 2) returns home after participating in RIMPAC 2012 exercise. Photo: courtesy of US Navy senior chief mass communication specialist Joe Kane.
