South Korea to lead RIMPAC maritime drill for first time

South Korea will take the lead role in commanding multinational naval forces for the first time in the US-led Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC), the South Korean navy announced on Thursday. A South Korean admiral will head the combined maritime forces during the biennial drill, which is scheduled to take place in and around Hawaii from June 24 to July 31, according to Yonhap News Agency. South Korea served as deputy commander in 2024. RIMPAC, held since 1971, aims to enhance cooperation among participating nations to protect sea lines of communication and counter potential maritime security threats.

Deployment and scale

This year’s exercise will include a multinational force of more than 25,000 personnel, approximately 40 surface ships, five submarines, and 140 aircraft. South Korea is expected to deploy its Aegis destroyer Jeongjo the Great, P-9 maritime patrol aircraft, and the 3,000-ton Dosan Ahn Chang-ho submarine. South Korea has participated in RIMPAC since 1990. The exercise comes amid heightened regional tensions over North Korea’s missile launches and the broader impact of the Iran war on global maritime security, including disruptions to shipping lanes in the Gulf and Red Sea.