HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam’s Defence Ministry has confirmed it will be sending eight naval officers to participate in the Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC) in Hawaii, the United States, from July 1 – 31, at the invitation of the Commander of the US Navy’s Pacific Fleet.

It will be the first time Việt Nam has taken part in the RIMPAC after the country sent observers to the event in 2012 and 2016.

The participation will be an opportunity for Việt Nam’s naval forces to learn from other countries’ experience and improve its disaster relief and search and rescue operations at sea.

RIMPAC is the world’s largest international maritime exercise biennially hosted by the US in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California.

According to the US Navy, 26 nations, 47 surface ships, five submarines, 18 national land forces, and more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel will participate in this year’s exercise.

RIMPAC 2018 will be the 26th exercise held since 1971.

The theme of RIMPAC 2018 is "Capable, Adaptive, Partners." Participating nations and forces will exercise a wide range of capabilities and demonstrate the inherent flexibility of maritime forces. These capabilities range from disaster relief and maritime security operations to sea control and complex war-fighting. The relevant, realistic training programme includes amphibious operations, gunnery, missile, anti-submarine and air defence exercises, as well as counter-piracy operations, mine clearance, explosive ordnance disposal, and diving and salvage operations.

This year’s exercise will include forces from Australia, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Colombia, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Peru, the Republic of Korea, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tonga, the United Kingdom, the United States and Việt Nam. — VNS