Context:
India is participating in two mega multinational exercises being hosted by the US – the Red Flag air exercise and the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) naval exercise.
About the Red Flag air exercise
- The first Red Flag exercise took place in 1975. It was developed to help the Air Force “train as it fights,” is a simulated combat training exercise that pulls in the air forces of the United States and its allies.
- The Indian Air Force (IAF) has deployed Rafale fighter jets for the two-week multinational advanced aerial combat training exercise air which commenced in Alaska from May 30 to June 14, 2024.
- This exercise aims to enhance the combat readiness of participating forces through exposure to complex, large-scale joint engagements. It facilitates the exchange of tactics, techniques, and procedures among allied forces, improving interoperability.
- Approximately 3100 service members are expected to fly, maintain and support over 100 aircraft from 4 nations scheduled to participate in Red Flag-Alaska 24-2.
- The primary flight operations will take place over the joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex, the largest combat training range in the world.
- India has taken part in Ex Red Flag in the past with the deployment of Russian SU-30MKI fighter jets.
Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) Exercise
- It is a biennial exercise designed to foster and sustain cooperative relationships, critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. RIMPAC 2024 is the 29th exercise in the series that began in 1971. It is considered as the world’s largest international maritime exercise.
- RIMPAC 2024 is the 29th exercise in the series that began in 1971. It is considered as the world’s largest international maritime exercise.
- Approximately 29 nations, 40 surface ships, 3 submarines, 14 national land forces, over 150 aircraft and more than 25,000 personnel will participate in the RIMPAC 2024 exercise scheduled from June 26 to Aug 2, in and around the Hawaiian Islands this year.
- The Indian Navy is deploying the Indigenous stealth frigate INS Shivalik for Ex RIMPAC (Rim of the Pacific).
- The theme of RIMPAC 2024 is “Partners: Integrated and Prepared.”
- To promote a free and open Indo-Pacific, Exercise RIMPAC is the premier joint and combined maritime exercise, utilizing and preserving a world-class maritime training environment.
- RIMPAC combines force capabilities in a dynamic maritime environment to demonstrate enduring interoperability across the full spectrum of military operations.