Approximately 320 Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel have joined 28 international partners to undertake the world’s largest international maritime exercise. Held across training areas in and around the Hawaiian Islands from 27 June to 1 August 2024, Exercise Rim of the Pacific 2024 (RIMPAC) is a biennial international military exercise hosted by Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet. The ADF contribution includes Royal Australian Navy Hobart Class guided missile destroyer HMAS Sydney and a Royal Australian Air Force P-8A Poseidon aircraft.
Chief of Joint Operations, Lieutenant General Greg Bilton, said Australia’s participation and leadership in the exercise highlighted the nation’s enduring commitment to a peaceful, secure, and prosperous Indo-Pacific. “Australia’s participation in RIMPAC reflects the closeness of our alliance with the United States and the strength of our military relationships with other regional defence partners,” Lieutenant General Bilton said. “We face complex strategic challenges in the Indo-Pacific region, and the ADF will take every opportunity to assure our friends that Australia has the ability and the intent to stand by its alliances, agreements and bilateral relationships.”
This year, RIMPAC will feature 29 nations, 40 surface ships, three submarines, land forces from 14 national land forces, more than 150 aircraft and approximately 25,000 personnel.
RIMPAC24 Commander Australian Contingent, Air Commodore Louise DesJardins said ADF personnel would exercise across a broad spectrum of scenarios from humanitarian assistance and disaster response to maritime security operations, sea control and complex warfighting. “This year marks the first time HMAS Sydney will participate in RIMPAC, the ship and her crew will be evaluating capabilities in training and live-fire exercises,” Air Commodore DesJardins said. “Air Force will deploy one P-8A Poseidon aircraft to contribute to high-end warfighting capabilities in realistic maritime scenarios aimed at enhancing interoperability. RIMPAC is a great opportunity for Australia to strengthen international partnerships and improve readiness for a wide range of potential operations.”
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