The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) announced that it is deploying P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft and E-7A Wedgetail airborne early warning aircraft to Hawaii for Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2026, the world’s largest international maritime exercise.
The exercise, which runs from June 24 to July 31, 2026, will bring together 31 nations, 40 surface ships, five submarines, more than 140 aircraft, and over 25,000 personnel.
Australia has participated in every RIMPAC since the exercise began in 1971, making this year’s iteration the 30th.
Australia’s contribution to RIMPAC
Around 430 Australian Defence Force personnel are taking part in the exercise. In addition to the P-8A Poseidon and E-7A Wedgetail, Australia is contributing the Hobart class guided missile destroyer HMAS Sydney and the Australian defence vessel ADV Guidance.
A clearance diving team and maritime specialists will also participate in operations in and around the Hawaiian islands.
Key activities for the Australian contingent include live-fire exercises, anti-submarine warfare, air defense drills, mine clearance, explosive ordnance disposal, and diving and salvage operations.
RIMPAC 26 will also see AUKUS Pillar II partners test subsea and seabed warfare capabilities aboard ADV Guidance to protect critical underwater infrastructure. The exercise will accelerate interoperability of underwater acoustic communications through the Maritime Big Play exercise and experimentation series.
The relevance of participation in RIMPAC
Vice Admiral Justin Jones, Chief of Joint Operations, said the exercise reflects the shared importance of maritime security, particularly in the Indo-Pacific.
“Our continued support of Exercise RIMPAC reflects our longstanding commitment to strategic transparency, and the value we place on working with allies and partners,” Jones said. “It’s an unparalleled opportunity to integrate with allied and partner maritime forces, conduct professional exchanges, and build person-to-person relationships.”
The theme for RIMPAC 2026 is “Partners: Integrated and Prepared.” The exercise includes a shore phase focused on planning and professional engagement, followed by a sea phase involving complex warfighting scenarios.
Following the release of the 2026 National Defence Strategy, RIMPAC 26 directly supports priority tasks including how the Australian Defence Force maintains the security of Australia’s economic connection to the region.
“Exercise RIMPAC 26 directly contributes to Australia’s ability to protect its maritime approaches, and respond to domestic and international threats,” Jones said. “Through Exercise RIMPAC 26, the ADF can demonstrate that we have the capability, capacity and resolve to defend against any potential adversary’s attempt to project power against Australia.”