The 30th Rim of the Pacific exercise concluded July 31 after bringing together 30 nations, 30 ships, five submarines, more than 190 aircraft and over 30,000 military personnel in the world’s largest international maritime exercise.
The biennial exercise, hosted by U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, serves as the primary vehicle for building maritime interoperability among Pacific allies and partners. The 2026 iteration coincides with heightened tensions in the Indo-Pacific region and China’s continued expansion of its naval capabilities.
Participating forces conducted operations spanning anti-submarine warfare, amphibious landings, missile defense, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief during the multi-week exercise. The scale of participation sends a direct signal about allied readiness and cohesion in the Pacific.
RIMPAC has been held since 1971 and has grown into the most visible measure of U.S. maritime alliance strength in the Indo-Pacific. The exercise rotates through various operational areas around the Hawaiian Islands.
The 30-nation participation level reflects the breadth of the U.S. Pacific alliance network at a time when China is building the world’s largest navy by hull count and expanding its military presence across the South China Sea.
Participating nations bring their own vessels, aircraft and personnel, demonstrating their individual capabilities and willingness to integrate with U.S. forces. The exercise produces lessons learned that shape future joint operations planning.