World’s Largest Maritime Drills Begin Amid Rising Tensions In Asia-Pacific

Aircraft Carrier — Image Credits: US Pacific Fleet/Twitter

The Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercises, the world’s largest global maritime exercise, began on June 27, 2024, in Hawaii with over 25,000 personnel from 29 countries.

This year’s drill hosted by the US Pacific Fleet takes place amid a backdrop of increased tensions and competition between China, the United States and its allies in the Indo-Pacific region.

RIMPAC 2024 brings together military forces from various regions including India, Japan, South Korea, several Southeast and South Asian countries, Latin America, and several European States.

The drills scheduled from June 27 until August 1, 2024, aim to improve the multilateral cooperation and readiness to maintain a “free and open Indo-Pacific”.

Israel is also participating in its third RIMPAC, despite Pro-Palestinians protests against the ongoing violence in Gaza.

RIMPAC public affairs confirmed Israel’s participation in the drill but also stated that there would be no aircraft and ships in the exercise.

The Israeli ministry refuses to speak further.

The drills this year will include a wide range of training scenarios involving 150 aircraft, 40 surface ships, three submarines and over 25,000 personnel.

The training will include amphibious landings, urban combat, anti-submarine warfare, cyber and space operations, and more.

RIMPAC 2024 has an important strategic context.

The United States has boosted its military presence and alliances in Asia Pacific, while China has increased its military drills near Taiwan and in the South China Sea.

Meanwhile, Russia has become increasingly active in the region, with President Vladimir Putin seeking help from China, North Korea and Vietnam.

The US Ambassador to China, Nicholas Burns, highlighted the Indo-Pacific’s escalating military competition, describing it as the world’s most strategic region.

David Santoro, President and CEO of Pacific Forum, emphasized the rising global tensions and the importance of public awareness of the evolving security scenario.

RIMPAC 2024 will focus on an extensive and complex tactical phase, disaster relief operations humanitarian aid, and integrated multi-domain warfare.

The humanitarian aid component will be the largest ever, with 2500 participants, state-wise mass casualty drills, and urban search and rescue exercises.

However, environmental and climate activists and some indigenous groups have criticized the exercises citing concerns about the impact on local ecosystems and cultural sites.

The US Pacific Fleet has agreed to conduct the exercises in an environmentally and culturally responsible manner.

Kyle Kajihiro, assistant professor of ethnic studies at the University of Hawaii listed numerous cases of military contamination in Hawaii and other regions of the Pacific.

He added that these impacts make the land unsuitable to live and turn places of life into deaths.

Despite these issues, RIMPAC remains a vital platform for developing cooperative connections that are crucial for maritime security and safety.

The exercises will improve individual and combined competency, command and control abilities, and readiness for a variety of possible missions.

As RIMPAC 2024 progresses, the exercises will remain a major focus of international military cooperation and strategic posturing in an increasingly unstable global environment.

Reference: US Navy, Al Jazeera

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