Dzirhan Mahadzir – July 29, 2026 2:16 PM
U.S. and partner forces conducted more than 35 experiments to test unmanned systems and emerging technologies, pushing interoperability among nations to new limits during the biennial Rim of the Pacific Exercise.
“These efforts help us understand how new capabilities fit into the fight and give operators real-world feedback early in the process,” U.S. Navy Vice Adm. Jeff Jablon, deputy commander of U.S. Pacific Fleet and Commander, Combined Task Force RIMPAC, told reporters Wednesday in a virtual roundtable.
Demonstrations included shipboard 3D printing linked with autonomous drone delivery and executing a historic unmanned underway replenishment when a Typhoon unmanned surface vessel autonomously entered the well deck of amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD-2). The exercise put Essex at the center of additive manufacturing trials as the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps lean on modern machine-made parts to hone self-repair capabilities, USNI News previously reported.
The RIMPAC additive manufacturing demonstration also showcased the production of metal powder aboard a Canadian ship using technology developed through Naval Postgraduate School partnerships before using that material to manufacture components at sea. The release did not identify which Canadian ship would be the production host. The Royal Canadian Navy’s surface ships at RIMPAC 2026 are frigates HMCS Regina (FFH334) and HMCS Ottawa (FFH341) and fleet oiler MV Asterix.
Other teams demonstrated digitally-crewed surface vessels capable of autonomously delivering additively manufactured parts to U.S. and partner nation ships, testing new approaches to logistics in distributed maritime operations with long-range operations with carriers, and interoperability with L-class ship well decks.
Ultimately, multinational forces from 30 nations participated in the U.S. Navy-led RIMPAC 2026 exercise, totaling 30,000 personnel, 31 surface ships, five submarines and more than190 aircraft. The forces carried out more than 500 maritime exercise events, 2,400 flight sorties and responded to approximately 5,000 scenario-based problem sets. The exercise, which takes place in and around Hawaii, began on June 24 and slated to conclude Friday.
“Those realistic scenarios strengthen combined readiness across the maritime, air, cyber, and amphibious domains. We saw real interoperability gains, including coordinated maritime operations, integrated logistics, and improved information sharing practices that allow this coalition to operate as a cohesive, capable force,” Jablon said.
Jablon was joined in the call by Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Rear Adm. Takuo Kobayashi, who is the vice commander of the Combined Task Force, and Republic of Korea Navy Rear Adm. In-Ho Kim, the commander of the Combined Force Maritime Component. All three leaders stressed RIMPAC’s ability to build multinational trust and cohesion in the Pacific, a global maritime environment that is too large and complex for any one country to ensure security alone.
“RIMPAC gives us the chance to build the trust and relationships that make us stronger long before any crisis happens. When nations know each other, train together and communicate well, they can respond faster and more effectively, whether it’s a security challenge, a humanitarian crisis or a natural disaster,” said Jablon.
According to Kobayashi, RIMPAC is a reminder that interoperability must continue to develop, and he noted that different language, procedures and systems can create gaps. Realistic training, such as what occurred during RIMPAC, allows for the identification and reduction of such gaps before a real crisis occurs.
“Shared experiences and personal relationships developed during RIMPAC Exercise strengthen our ability to respond together, whether supporting maritime security or assisting communities after disaster. By continuing to prepare together, we support secure sea lanes in a free and open Indo-Pacific,” said Kobayashi.
By taking part in RIMPAC, Kim said the Republic of Korea Navy continues to strengthen its ability to conduct combined operations, along with having a valuable opportunity to further improve its ability to lead and carry out combined maritime operations. Kim also said that participating nations gave strong support and commitment to the exercise.
“I believe we successfully achieved our shared goal of establishing maritime security and enhancing interoperability,” Kim said.
The theme of RIMPAC 2026 is “Partners: Integrated and Prepared,” which Jablon said captured exactly what the exercise is all about. Sailing Exercises on the way to RIMPAC demonstrated coordinated maneuvering, maritime fires and combined command and control across a diverse multinational formation.
Philippine Coast Guard offshore patrol vessel BRP Gabriela Silang (OPV-8301), Philippine Navy frigate BRP Miguel Malvar (FFG-06), JMSDF destroyer JS Kongo (DDG-173), Italian Navy multi-role combat ship ITS Giovanni Delle Bande Nere (P434), ROKN amphibious landing ship ROKS Cheon Ja Bong (LST-687), and Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) frigate RSS Steadfast (70) sailed together in one group to Hawaii. Royal Australian Navy (RAN) destroyer HMAS Sydney (DDG42 Royal New Zealand Navy frigate HMNZS Te Mana (F111) and fleet oiler HMNZS Aotearoa (A11) formed another group that sailed to Hawaii.
This year’s major tactical events showed integration in action, Jablon said, with Sinking Exercises bringing together nine nations to identify and destroy two decommissioned ships, cruiser USS Mobile Bay and amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu (LHA-5). Amphibious operations, led by Peru, validated integrated planning, ship-to-shore movement and combined effects across the maritime, air and land domains.
“Each event reflected the professionalism, trust, and capability this coalition brings to the Pacific,” Jablon said.
Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response readiness was strengthened through training that brought together military forces, interagency partners, non-governmental organizations and international observers to rehearse mass casualty care, medical triage, logistics coordination and rapid delivery of relief supplies. The event was so successful that HADR operations will be expanded in RIMPAC 2028, Jablon said.
Jablon, in his closing remarks, said that RIMPAC is about strengthening relationships, improving interoperability and preparing capable partners to operate together whenever and wherever needed and while the exercise lasts a little over a month, the trust, cooperation and integration built endure well beyond the conclusion of the exercise.
“This year’s training across the maritime, air, cyber and amphibious domains shows what ‘Partners: Integrated and Prepared’ looks like in practice and reinforces our shared commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific,” Jablon said.
Ships and submarines have begun returning to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam for the conclusion of the exercise on Friday. Afterwards, ships will begin sailing home or will prepare to participate in Ballistic Missile Defense exercise Pacific Dragon 2026, which is held in the waters around the Pacific Missile Range Facility Barking Sands in Kauai, Hawaii.
Dzirhan Mahadzir
Dzirhan Mahadzir is a freelance defense journalist and analyst based in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia. Among the publications he has written for and currently writes for since 1998 includes Defence Review Asia, Jane’s Defence Weekly, Navy International, International Defence Review, Asian Defence Journal, Defence Helicopter, Asian Military Review and the Asia-Pacific Defence Reporter.