Indian multi-role stealth frigate INS Shivalik, mission deployed in South China Sea and North Pacific Ocean, has reached Pearl Harbour in Hawaii to take part in the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise, which is ‘world’s largest naval exercise,” navy said here on Saturday. 

It spans six weeks and navies from 26 countries will take part in the mega drill.

Giving details, officials said the Indian warship sailed into Pearl Harbour on Thursday on completion of JIMEX 24, a bilateral exercise between India and Japan.

The harbour phase of the exercise from June 27 June to July 07  will see participation in multiple symposiums, exercise planning discussions, sports competitions and reciprocal deck visits.

The sea phase of RIMPAC – 24, divided into three sub-phases will witness ships undertaking basic and advanced level integration exercises during the first two sub-phases.

The event will conclude with a theatre level large force tactical exercise*.

The exercise will witness the participation of an Aircraft Carrier Battle Group, submarines, maritime reconnaissance aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles, remotely piloted surface ships and also an amphibious force landing operations including joint operations with special forces of multinational navies.

RIMPAC-24, spanning over six weeks of intense operations and training is aimed at enhancing interoperability and building trust among the navies of friendly foreign countries.

Led by the US Navy, approximately 29 countries are participating in the current edition of the multi-dimensional exercise.

The world’s largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC-24 provides a unique training opportunity while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants, critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security of world’s oceans.

INS Shivalik’s participation in RIMPAC-24, 9,000 Nautical Miles away from Indian coast stands testimony to the Indian Navy’s capability to operate in any part of the world.

The ship is an indigenously designed and built 6,000 tonnes guided missile stealth frigate.