India Joins RIMPAC 2024: World's Largest Naval Exercise

Overview of RIMPAC 2024

• World's largest international maritime warfare exercise
• Held in and around Hawaiian Islands until August 1, 2024
• 29 nations participating with 40 surface ships, 3 submarines
• Over 150 aircraft and 25,000 personnel involved
• Theme: "Partners: Integrated and Prepared"
• Aims to deter invasions and maintain Indo-Pacific security
• Chinese Navy not invited due to non-adherence to international norms

Indian Navy's Participation

• Deployed frontline warship INS Shivalik
• INS Shivalik: indigenously designed 6000-ton guided missile stealth frigate
• Traveled 9000 nautical miles from Indian coast to participate
• Previously deployed in South China Sea and North Pacific Ocean
• Completed JIMEX 24 (bilateral exercise with Japan) before RIMPAC
• Demonstrates Indian Navy's global operational capabilities

Exercise Structure and Activities

• Harbor phase: June 27 to July 7
• Sea phase: Divided into three sub-phases

Activities include:

• • Tactical maneuvers
  • Humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations
  • Aircraft carrier battle group operations
  • Submarine warfare
  • Maritime reconnaissance
  • Unmanned aerial vehicle and remotely piloted surface ship operations
  • Amphibious force landing operations
• Concludes with theatre-level large force tactical exercise

The focus on preparedness and integrated partnerships in RIMPAC 2024 is a reflection of the changing maritime security landscape in the Indo-Pacific. The exercise's objectives are to strengthen collective response capabilities to a range of maritime threats and challenges, promote mutual understanding, and enhance communication amongst diverse naval forces.