The Indian Navy's P-8I Long Range Maritime Reconnaissance and Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) aircraft has arrived at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Honolulu, Hawaii, to take part in the 30th edition of the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise. The base is located on the island of Oahu, Hawaii.
Commitment to Free and Open Indo-Pacific
In a post on X, Indian Navy spokesperson Captain Vivek Madhwal stated that India's participation in one of the world's largest multinational maritime exercises reaffirms the Navy's commitment to a "free, open, inclusive and rules-based Indo-Pacific." The Navy highlighted the deployment as a "Bridges of Friendship" initiative between India and the United States.
The official post read: "#IndianNavy's P-8I Long Range Maritime Reconnaissance and Anti-Submarine Warfare aircraft has arrived in Honolulu, Hawaii, to participate in the Rim of the Pacific Exercise - #RIMPAC2026. This is one of the world's largest multinational maritime exercise, being conducted from 01 - 31 Jul 26. The deployment reaffirms Indian Navy's commitment to a free, open, inclusive and rules-based #IndoPacific while enhancing interoperability, maritime domain awareness and operational cooperation with partner navies."
Previous Participation in RIMPAC and Other Exercises
Earlier in 2026, the Indian Navy, along with its P-8I Poseidon aircraft, participated in Sea Dragon 2026 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, according to the US Department of War. The Indian Navy's P-8I also took part in RIMPAC 2024 at Joint Base Pearl Harbor. In that exercise, the Navy posted: "Watch the #IndianNavy P8I coming in for landing at Joint Base Pearl Harbour, Hickam Airfield, Hawaii after undertaking Anti-Submarine Mission with @USNavy & other participating Navies during the ongoing Multilateral Exercise - #RIMPAC2024."
Additionally, the Indian multi-role stealth frigate INS Shivalik, mission-deployed in the South China Sea and North Pacific Ocean, reached Pearl Harbor in Hawaii for the 29th edition of RIMPAC in 2024.
RIMPAC 2026: Scope and Scale
According to the US Department of War, RIMPAC is the world's premier international maritime exercise. The 30th iteration began on June 24 and runs through July 31, 2026, in and around the Hawaiian Islands. It features a multinational force of approximately 30,000 personnel. The biennial exercise provides a unique training opportunity for allies and partners to strengthen collective capabilities and promote a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
The exercise covers a wide range of capabilities, including amphibious operations, gunnery and missile proficiency, anti-submarine warfare, air defense exercises, military medicine, humanitarian assistance and disaster response, counter-piracy, mine clearance, explosive ordnance disposal, and diving and salvage operations. RIMPAC was first held in 1971.
