26 Countries Including the Philippines Flex Massive Naval Might at RIMPAC 2022
On August 6, the U.S. Navy realeased footage of the worlds most massive naval exercise yet: 26 countries, 38 ships, three submarines, more than 30 unmanned systems, approximately 170 aircraft and 25,000 personnel sailed in formation in the waters surrounding the Hawaiian Islands. The Philippines sent its most advanced warship, the BRP Antonio Luna, to the exercises.
The BRP Antonio Luna is the Most Advanced Warship the Philippines Has Ever Sent to RIMPAC
It is the third time the Philippines has participated in the RIMPAC. It first participated in 2018 when it sent the 55-year-old warship, the BRP Andres Bonifacio for the exercises. It also sent the relatively new BRP Davao del Sur, a support vessel and landing dock.
26 Countries Participating in RIMPAC 2022
RIMPAC is the world's largest naval exercise, and is held every two years. “It 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,” the U.S. Navy wrote.
RIMPAC 2022 is the 28th exercise in the series that began in 1971. It aims to enhance the interoperability among the navies of America’s allies. There are 26 countries participating in the RIMPAC 2022 naval exercises. These include Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Denmark, Ecuador, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tonga, Peru, the Philippines, the U.S., and the U.K. More than 25,000 personnel will be involved in the exercises.
Below are more photos from the RIMPAC 2022 showing warships from participating countries sailing together in formation, shot by U.S. Navy Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Lake Fultz.
