World's largest maritime exercise RIMPAC begins
The world's largest maritime exercise 'Rim of the Pacific Exercise 2022' (RIMPAC 2022) is beingn conducted in and near the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California from 29 June to 4 August, 2022.
◾️RIMPAC 2022
27 countries are participating in the current edition of the multidisciplinary exercise. Its objective is to build interoperability and trust among friendly navies. The theme of RIMPAC 2022 is “Capable, Adaptive, Partners”.
◾️India's participation
In the current edition, INS Satpura of the Indian Navy and a P8I maritime patrol aircraft are participating in the exercise. India participated in RIMPAC for the first time in the year 2014 when the indigenously built Shivalik class stealth frigate INS Sahyadri participated in the exercise.
INS Sahyadri again represented the country in the 2018 edition. Meanwhile, in 2016, INS Satpura joined the maritime exercise. Prior to 2014, the Indian Navy's presence in the Wargames was only as an observer for 2006, 2010 and 2012 editions.
◾️P8I Maritime Patrol Vessel
The P-8I is a long-range multi- mission maritime patrol vessel built by Boeing for the Indian Navy. It was designed to protect India's coastline and territorial waters. It can conduct anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, intelligence, maritime patrol, surveillance and military testing.
◾️INS Satpura
INS Satpura is an indigenously designed and built 6000 ton guided missile stealth frigate capable of detecting and destroying air, surface and underwater adversaries. A frontline unit of the Eastern Fleet based at Visakhapatnam, INS Satpura is currently on extended operational deployment in the 75th year of India's independence.