Partners in paradise: UK among 30 nations involved in massive maritime exercise off Hawaii

Mike Morton – 16th July 2026 at 4:28pm

Thirty nations, 30 ships, five submarines, more than 190 aircraft and over 30,000 personnel have been taking part in an exercise to strengthen partnerships across the Indo-Pacific.

Exercise Rim of the Pacific 2026, which is better known as Rimpac 26, is the world’s largest international maritime exercise and runs until the end of the month.

Rimpac 26 is hosted by the US Navy in and around the Hawaiian Islands, with Royal Air Force personnel making up the UK contingent.

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Not all about military might

While this year’s iteration of the biennial exercise has a maritime focus, a key element of the RAF’s involvement is humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

Rimpac 26 provides an opportunity to exchange lessons, refine procedures and ensure that future responses can be delivered quickly, safely and collectively.

As the region continues to grow in strategic importance, exercising alongside allies and partners strengthens relationships that are essential to responding to future crises whether they be military, humanitarian or environmental.

All images courtesy of the US Department of War