South Korea's Navy will command multinational naval forces for the first time in this year's U.S.-led RIMPAC exercise. A Korean admiral will lead the combined maritime component forces around Hawaii from June 24 to July 31. This follows South Korea's deputy commander role in the 2024 drill.
South Korea's Navy announced on April 30 that it will command the combined maritime component forces in this year's Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC). The U.S. Third Fleet confirmed South Korea's role, noting that Canada will command the air component.
Launched in 1971, the biennial RIMPAC aims to enhance cooperation among nations in securing sea lines of communication and countering maritime security challenges. South Korea has participated since 1990. In the previous 2024 exercise, it served as deputy commander.
This year's drill will involve more than 25,000 personnel, about 40 surface ships, five submarines, and 140 aircraft. South Korea plans to deploy its Aegis destroyer Jeongjo the Great, P-9 maritime patrol aircraft, and the 3,000-ton Dosan Ahn Chang-ho submarine.
