More than 25,000 personnel from 29 different countries participated in the “Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC)-2024”, which is considered as the world’s largest naval exercise in this respect, started on 27 June 2024 and is expected to continue until August. The maneuvers hosted by the United States of America (USA) Pacific Fleet are closely related to the security of the Asia-Pacific.
Such multinational military exercises, taking place at a time of escalating global rivalry between the US and China, could further escalate tensions. Indeed, over the last decade, the US has strengthened its multilateral partnerships in the Asia-Pacific, signed new defense agreements, and expanded its military capacity across the region. On the other hand, China has stepped up its military exercises around Taiwan and frequently confronted the Philippines over disputed islands in the South China Sea.
Russia’s recent activities in the Asia-Pacific also increase the importance of these exercises. The signing of military cooperation agreements by Russian President Vladimir Putin during his visit to Pyongyang on 18-19 June 2024 was a critical factor that increased Western interest in the Asia-Pacific. The deterioration of inter-Korean relations and South Korea’s enhanced military-security ties with the United States have been another important factor jeopardising regional security. Conducted against a backdrop of heightened regional tensions, these exercises essentially become a lever for deepening global polarisation.
First initiated in 1971 by Australia, Canada, and the United States, RIMPAC exercises are organized every two years, and it is noteworthy that participation from around the world is expanding every year. For example, in addition to South Korea, Japan, and India, countries such as Germany, France, Israel, and the UK are also participating in this year’s maneuvers.[1] Involving 150 aircraft, 40 surface ships, 3 submarines, and more than 25,000 personnel, the exercises include combat and contingency training on land, air, and sea, amphibious landings, urban combat training, anti-submarine warfare, ship sinking exercises, as well as cyber and space operations.
A few days before the start of RIMPAC, the US organised trilateral exercises with South Korea and Japan around the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea, and sent a nuclear-propelled aircraft carrier to the Korean Peninsula. Following this development, Pyongyang warned that the situation on the Korean Peninsula had deteriorated to its worst ever. [2] North Korea then warned that such exercises had become “the Asian version of NATO”.[3]
RIMPAC, which is mostly attended by Western actors, is instrumental in taking defense ties a step further and crystallising regional coalitions. Working towards a common goal can help foster mutual trust and understanding between participants. On the other hand, the exercises may also serve the purpose of containing China and North Korea in particular.
Due to these concerns, Pacific Rim countries are expected to closely follow the RIMPAC exercises. These manoeuvres can be interpreted as a clear indicator of the US military presence and effectiveness in the Asia-Pacific. North Korea, China and Russia are likely to make strategic assessments by observing the activities and technologies used in these exercises.
The RIMPAC exercises are also closely related to the maritime rights and interests of the countries in the Asia-Pacific, as they basically aim to enhance maritime security. Ultimately, these manoeuvres also aim to change the regional military balance in favour of the West, to demonstrate strength and to build deterrence. Therefore, the increasing Western footprint in the Asia-Pacific may lead North Korea, China and Russia to reassess their military strategies towards the region.
The RIMPAC-2024 exercises can contribute to increasing Western influence in the Asia-Pacific. These maneuvers can benefit the participants in the following ways:
- Strengthening Security Cooperation: RIMPAC enhances military cooperation among participating countries by promoting maritime security and peace in the region. This can help strengthen regional stability and demonstrate Western presence and influence in the region.
- Military Capacity Enhancement: Exercises allow military personnel to improve their skills and be prepared for various scenarios. This, in turn, can contribute to the participation countries to increase their military capacities and to present a stronger stance in the region.
- Crisis Management and Humanitarian Assistance: RIMPAC includes scenarios of response to crises and natural disasters. Such scenarios can help participating countries to strengthen their humanitarian assistance and disaster response capacities in the region.
- Diplomatic and Political Communication: Diplomatic talks and relations between military leaders taking place during exercises can strengthen political communication in the region and increase Western presence and influence in the region.
In conclusion, the RIMPAC-2024 exercises have the potential to significantly impact the security of the Asia-Pacific and the regional balance of power. However, this impact does not directly imply an increased Western military presence but rather relies on broader factors such as strengthening security cooperation in the region and preparedness for crises.
[1] “Participating Countries”, CPF, https://www.cpf.navy.mil/RIMPAC/Participants/, (Date of Access: 04.07.2024).
[2] “North Korea: 3 US aircraft carriers creating ‘worst ever’ situation”, CNN, https://edition.cnn.com/2017/11/12/politics/us-navy-three-carrier-exercise-pacific/index.html, (Date of Access: 04.07.2024).
[3] “North Korea says US, South Korea and Japan developing ‘Asian NATO’”, Al Jazeera, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/6/30/north-korea-says-us-south-korea-and-japan-developing-asian-nato, (Date of Access: 04.07.2024).
