Indian Navy Leads Anti-Submarine Warfare at RIMPAC 2026

Indian Navy assumes key anti-submarine warfare leadership role in US-led RIMPAC 2026

Hawaii, July 9

In a statement, the Indian Navy said that its P-8I LRMR aircraft and contingent of participating personnel continued active engagement with partner navies through mission planning, technical preparations, operational briefings and professional exchanges.

"This is the first time that Indian Navy is discharging the role of Deputy Commander Task Force for Theatre-level Anti Submarine Warfare during the exercise," the statement said.

The deployment reaffirms Indian Navy's commitment to a free, open, inclusive and rules-based Indo-Pacific while enhancing interoperability, maritime domain awareness and operational cooperation with partner navies, the Indian Navy underlined in a previous statement.

RIMPAC 2026 is the 30th exercise in the series that began in 1971. According to an official US Navy website, thirty nations, over 30 surface ships, five submarines, 15 national land forces, more than 206 aircraft and 30,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC in and around the Hawaiian Islands.

It further noted that during the exercise, Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet (COMSUBPAC) units will use realistic at-sea training scenarios to demonstrate unique capabilities in order to maximize advantage in the undersea domain.

"This year's exercise will highlight two critical investments that are reshaping how COMSUBPAC units train to fight and win in contested maritime environments: advanced unmanned undersea vehicles (UUVs) and long-range fires," the website said.

It underlined how RIMPAC- which is the world's largest international maritime exercise, "provides a unique training opportunity while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans."

— ANI