Indian Navy P-8i joins RIMPAC 2026 in Hawaii to boost Indo-Pacific ties

The Indian Navy's P-8i aircraft has reached Hawaii for the RIMPAC 2026 exercise. The deployment underlines India's push for interoperability and a free, open Indo-Pacific.

In Short

• RIMPAC's 30th edition runs around Hawaii from June 24 to July 31
• Thirty nations, 30,000 personnel and over 206 aircraft are participating this year
• The theme this year is Partners: Integrated and Prepared for complex scenarios

The Indian Navy's P-8i maritime patrol aircraft is in Hawaii to take part in the Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC) 2026, the world's largest naval exercise hosted by the US Pacific Fleet. The Indian embassy in the US said India's participation reflects its commitment to a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific.

The 30th edition of RIMPAC, being held in and around the Hawaiian Islands from June 24 to July 31, has brought together 30 nations, more than 30 surface ships, five submarines, 15 national land forces, over 206 aircraft and 30,000 personnel. The theme of this year's exercise is 'Partners: Integrated and Prepared'.

In a post on X, the Indian embassy said, "Indian Navy's participation reaffirms its commitment to a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific by enhancing interoperability, Maritime Domain Awareness and cooperation with partner navies." The series of exercises began in 1971.

According to the US Navy, RIMPAC offers a training opportunity while helping build and sustain cooperative ties among participating countries that are important for the safety of sea lanes and security across the world's oceans. In a statement, Vice Adm. Jeff Jablon, RIMPAC 2026 Commander, Combined Task Forces, said, "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."

The US Navy said RIMPAC 2026 builds on earlier editions by bringing together allies and partners to show the flexibility and capability of maritime forces. The exercise includes amphibious operations, gunnery and missile exercises, anti-submarine warfare, air defence operations, military medicine, humanitarian assistance and disaster response, counter-piracy operations, mine countermeasures, explosive ordnance disposal, and diving and salvage operations.

India's participation in RIMPAC 2026 places the Indian Navy alongside partner countries in one of the world's biggest naval exercises, with the focus on interoperability, readiness and cooperation across a wide range of maritime operations.

With PTI Inputs

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