Warships From Around the Globe Head to Hawaii for RIMPAC 2016

Representative ships from the navies of 27 countries have converged on Hawaii for the beginning of the Rim of the Pacific 2016 naval exercise. RIMPAC 2016, which is billed as the world’s biggest international naval exercise, will be held from June 30 to August 4, 2016 in waters around Hawaii and California.

The exercise is seen as a way for world navies (and not just the Pacific) to sustain and develop relationships, something that is vitally important in the geopolitical climate where countries often have interests that are opposite to other state actors in their region. Again this year China has been invited to the exercise and has decided to participate. Despite some  domestic opposition, the US feels that it is better for all concerned to continue to improve relations with China’s PLA Navy.

RIMPAC 2016 will feature 45 ships, 5 submarines, 200 aircraft and 20,000 personnel. Operations will include disaster relief, counter-piracy, salvage, submarine rescue and amphibious operations. De-commissioned vessels will also be sunk to demonstrate the capabilities of various weapons systems.

Besides the United States and the People’s Republic of China, participants will include:

Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Columbia, France, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Peru, South Korea, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Tonga and the United Kingdom. New this year to the exercise will be: Brazil, Denmark, Germany and Italy.

Photo: US Navy via flickr

Stars and Stripes RIMPAC 2016

Compiled from US Defense and web sources