The exercise runs through July 31 in and around the Hawaiian Islands. Thirty nations, more than 30 surface ships, five submarines, 15 national land forces, more than 206 aircraft and 30,000 personnel will take part.
RIMPAC provides a training opportunity while supporting cooperative relationships among participating nations. The U.S. Navy said those relationships are critical to ensuring the security of sea lanes and stability across the region.
“The Rim of the Pacific exercise continues to be the world’s premier multinational maritime training event, bringing together allies and partners committed to strengthening security and stability across the region,” said Vice Adm. Jeff Jablon, RIMPAC 2026 Commander, Combined Task Forces (CCTF). “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.”
RIMPAC 2026 marks a major milestone for an exercise series that began in 1971. As the world’s largest joint and combined maritime exercise, it brings together force capabilities in a dynamic maritime environment.
The exercise is designed to demonstrate interoperability across the full spectrum of military operations. Its theme, “Partners: Integrated and Prepared,” underscores multinational readiness and cooperation in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific.
Through realistic high-end training, participating nations will work to strengthen partnerships and improve tactical proficiency. The exercise is also intended to improve their ability to operate together in support of regional security and stability.
RIMPAC 2026 is hosted by Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet. Its multinational leadership includes Chilean Navy Commodore Andres Howard as Deputy Commander, Combined Task Force, and Rear Adm. Takuo Kobayashi of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force as Vice Commander, Combined Task Force.
Rear Adm. In-Ho Kim of the Republic of Korea Navy serves as Combined Forces Maritime Component Commander. Brig. Gen. J.S. Davis of the Royal Canadian Air Force serves as Combined Forces Air Component Commander.
The exercise includes amphibious operations, gunnery and missile exercises, anti-submarine warfare and air defense operations. It also includes military medicine, humanitarian assistance and disaster response, counter-piracy operations, mine countermeasures, explosive ordnance disposal, and diving and salvage operations.
The U.S. Navy said RIMPAC 2026 builds on previous exercises by bringing together allies and partners to demonstrate the flexibility and capability of maritime forces. Throughout the exercise, participants will train and operate together to strengthen collective readiness, reinforce international partnerships and promote a free and open Indo-Pacific.
