Exercise RIMPAC 2026 and P-8I Aircraft Participation

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Key takeaways

The Indian Navy's P-8I aircraft is taking part in RIMPAC 2026, the world's largest naval exercise held in Hawaii.
Hosted by the U.S. Pacific Fleet since 1971, the 30th edition features 30 nations, over 30 surface ships, 5 submarines, and more than 200 aircraft.
The 2026 exercise is conducted under the official theme "Partners: Integrated and Prepared".
India currently operates 12 multi-role P-8I surveillance aircraft built on the Boeing platform and plans to procure 6 additional units.

The Indian Navy's P-8I maritime patrol aircraft is participating in Exercise RIMPAC 2026 in Hawaii.
This participation highlights India's expanding role in Indo-Pacific maritime security cooperation.

The Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) is the world's largest international naval exercise, hosted by the U.S. Pacific Fleet since 1971.
The exercise enhances interoperability, Maritime Domain Awareness, operational readiness, and joint coordination among member navies.
The 2026 event marks the 30th edition of the exercise, organized under the theme "Partners: Integrated and Prepared".
The current edition features 30 nations, over 30 surface ships, 5 submarines, and more than 200 aircraft, including forces from India, the US, Australia, Japan, France, the UK, South Korea, Singapore, and Indonesia.
Training modules focus on complex naval drills such as anti-submarine warfare, air defence, amphibious operations, missile firings, counter-piracy, mine countermeasures, and diving operations.
Participation allows the Indian Navy to improve joint operational capability with partner nations while strengthening sea-lane safety across the Indo-Pacific.

The P-8I is a long-range maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine aircraft built on the Boeing 737-800 platform.
It carries out maritime surveillance, electronic warfare, strike operations, search and rescue, and provided reconnaissance support during the post-Galwan stand-off.
The aircraft operates with air-to-ship missiles and torpedoes, with the Indian Navy currently maintaining 12 units and planning to procure 6 more.