World's largest maritime drills begin in an increasingly tense Asia Pacific

– In an era of increased tension and growing competition between China and the United States and its allies, the US Pacific Fleet is hosting Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC), “the world’s largest international maritime exercise” in Hawaii.

Held every other year, RIMPAC this year brings together the armed forces of 29 countries for five weeks of training with the goal of strengthening multilateral relations and enhancing preparedness to promote “a free and open Indo-Pacific”.

Established in 1971 by Australia, Canada and the US, this year’s drills, which got under way on June 27, include the militaries of South Korea, Japan and India, as well as countries in Southeast and South Asia, Latin America and seven European nations.

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