Indian Navy Joins World’s Largest Naval Exercise: RIMPAC 2024

Why in news?

Rising as a maritime power, the Indian navy has taken part in the Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC) 2024. RIMPAC is the world’s largest worldwide maritime exercise and has affirmed itself as a great and essential proponent of the multilateralism and international cooperation in the military and global spheres; the Indian participation in the exercise further proves that New Delhi is a responsible and involved player in the region’s security and the worldwide framework.

Exploring RIMPAC 2024

• The 2024 edition of RIMPAC was a monumental gathering, featuring:The 2024 edition of RIMPAC was a monumental gathering, featuring:
  • Over 150 aircraft
  • 40 surface ships
  • 3 submarines
  • Participants from 29 countries
  • More than 25,000 personnel
• This exercise is held in the Hawaiian Islands and this can be noted as the practical platform for the unification of multinational naval forces and the practice of numerous complicated operations.
• Scheduled to be make through August 1, RIMPAC 2024 is a unique chance for all the participating countries to demonstrate their navies’ potential and improve cooperation.

INS Shivalik: India’s Pride of RIMPAC 2024

• A recent development of the Indian Navy, INS Shivalik of the current generation multi-role stealth frigate is a testimony of this.
• Manufactured in the Indian shipyard and showcasing the indigenous capacity of the nation, INS Shivalik is a manifestation of the nation’s naval vision.

Key Features of INS Shivalik:Key Features of INS Shivalik:

• Stealth Design: carries out the function of reducing radar cross-section for better survivability.
• Advanced Sensors and Weapon Systems: It is well equipped with most advanced sophisticated sonars, radar and missiles system.
• Versatile Roles: As mentioned before it was a versatile ship that could work as anti-submarine warfare, air defense, and surface combat.
• Stationed at Pearl Harbor, the INS Shivalik contributed to diverse activities of RIMPAC 2024; the ship earlier had been stationed in such important areas as the South China Sea and the North Pacific Ocean.
• Stemming a distance of 9000 nautical miles, it unsettles itself with the strategic direction of the Indian Navy to RIMPAC.

Phases of RIMPAC 2024

• RIMPAC 2024, like all the previous ones, was conducted in stages that were meant to present as many facets of naval operations and cooperation.
• The final phase of the campaign is called the Harbor Phase which will run from June 27 up to July 7.
• The exercise commenced with a harbor phase, focusing on:The exercise commenced with a harbor phase, focusing on:
  • Pre-sail Planning: Naval formations convened meetings of planning and briefing.
• Logistical Coordination: Preparedness for the following at-sea events, if there is any.
  • Cultural Exchange: Creating friendship through, engagements and activities.
• Sea Phases:
  • Following the harbor phase, RIMPAC progressed into a series of dynamic sea phases, each aimed at executing sophisticated maritime operations

Phase 1: Marine Evolutions

Surface Combat Tactics: These include movements of the ships on the surface of the water, also sometimes referred to as ‘boat control’.
Air Defense Drills: Formation of an air shield with the help of naval and air forces.

Phase 2: Operations: Smooth Coordination of Task Force

Submarine Warfare: Staunch elements of naval warfare concerning submarines as well as surface vessels.
Amphibious Operations: Ramp/roll on or off operations using/with amphibious assault ships and forces.

Phase 3: When we get to the rank of Advanced Warfare Scenarios, an appalling picture of the war is painted.

• Carrier Strike Group Operations: Coordination of fixed wing aircraft carriers or Helicopter Carriers, Submarines and surface ships.
• Multi-domain Coordination: Utilizing elements of air, surface, and sub-surface with integration in combats.
• RIMPAC’s Effectiveness: Perspectives of the Countries-Participants
• The primary objectives of RIMPAC 2024, as articulated by Vice Admiral John Wade, Commander of the US 3rd Fleet and the RIMPAC Combined Task Force, are to
  • Strengthen International Ties: Internationalisation: improve the cooperative relationships among the countries of the project.
  • Enhance Operational Proficiency: Enhance the stakeholder’s collective competencies in the maritime operations to foster peace and security in the region.
• These objectives align with the year’s theme, “Partners: Director of this event has chosen more specific name for it: “Integrated and Prepared”, following the fact that the main themes of the shown video are integration and preparation for solving problems in the maritime industry.
• The Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC): An analysis of a theory requires a historical perspective.
• Largest Maritime Warfare Exercise
  • RIMPAC, that was started in 1971, is led by the United States’ Navy’s Pacific Fleet and it is conducted every two years. It has developed into the world’s biggest and most difficult annual ‘war at sea’ exercise located in the Hawaiian operating area and around southern California.
• Extensive International Participation
  • Starting with five nations it has grown into an event that involves 26 countries of which 19 are member countries of NATO and others are partners like China and India. This wide involvement creates an image of global cooperation and mutual support and contributes to raising the level of safety in the maritime region of the Pacific.

Diverse Activities and Innovation

• RIMPAC is renowned for its diverse range of activities, which include:RIMPAC is renowned for its diverse range of activities, which include:
  • Gunnery and Missile Exercises: New equipment trials of naval artillery and missile Launching.
  • Anti-Submarine and Air Defense Drills: Carrying out operations to combat with the submarines and aerial forces.
  • Humanitarian Operations: Participating in the search and rescue and disaster relief operations and humanitarian assistance.
  • Counter-Piracy Missions: To model operations for piracy control and improvement of maritime stability.
• Also, RIMPAC is the only event that utilizes a live innovation fair where technology applications are employed to stage experiments to push naval warfare and maritime operations to the next level.

The Contribution Made by India and Strategic Importance

• India taking part in RIMPAC 2024 is a clear sign of further expansion of the country’s presence in the international maritime security and understanding of multilateral defense diplomacy.
• Enhancing Interoperability
  • International naval exercises that are embarked on by the Indian Navy are beneficial in increasing the level of cooperation between the naval forces. It become very useful for the formation of the tactics and the strategies that may come in handy in real life sea related activities.
• Showcasing Naval Capabilities
  • INS Shivalik going to the RIMPAC is a clear demonstration of technological development of Indian navy and the capability of the domestic shipyards. The experience in the participation of the complex exercising implies that India is capable of contributing in the enhancement of exercising of international maritime security.
• Strengthening Diplomatic Ties
  • This ensures India increases on diplomacy with the nations participating in RIMPAC. Thus Indian cooperation in a military context can be a constructive process which helps to improve its positions in the region as a responsible peacekeeper.

Conclusion

• Maritime strategy is a strategic approach to the engagement of a country with the sea environment encompassing of plans and designs that have been developed to achieve a specific goal.
• Inviting India to RIMPAC 2024 is a landmark in India’s maritime history, Navy Chief Admiral Remove .
• The exercise also highlights the ability of the Indian Navy and also India in a broader perspective, in terms its willingness to participate and contribute to the provision of maritime security for the global commons.
• Being the largest international maritime warfare exercise RIMPAC provides a good platform for India to interact with the navies of the world, update its operational preparedness and enhance its strategic cooperation.

FAQs

Q1: What is RIMPAC?
Answer: The Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC) is the world’s largest international maritime warfare exercise. Organized by the U.S. Navy’s Pacific Fleet, it is held biennially in the waters around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California. RIMPAC includes participants from various countries, conducting a range of maritime operations and fostering international naval cooperation.

Q2: When and where did RIMPAC 2024 take place?
Answer: RIMPAC 2024 took place from June 27 to August 1 in the waters surrounding the Hawaiian Islands. The exercise featured extensive naval activities and involved a diverse array of ships, submarines, and aircraft from participating nations.

Q3: Which countries participated in RIMPAC 2024?
Answer: RIMPAC 2024 saw participation from 29 countries, including major naval powers and emerging maritime nations. Participants included the United States, Japan, Australia, Canada, South Korea, India, and several others, bringing together a wide spectrum of naval forces.