US invites Vietnam to participate in world's largest naval exercise

The Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC 2018) takes place from June 27 to August 2.around the Hawaiian Islands and southern California, US, with the participation of 26 countries, 47 ships, 5 submarines,18 infantry units and more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 soldiers,Stars & StripesThe US Navy said on May 30.

Among the countries invited to participate are Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Brazil and Israel.Therefore, Vietnam was invited to be an observer at RIMPAC 2012.

The US last week canceled its invitation to China.Although the country sent many ships and soldiers to participate in the exercises in 2014 and 2016.Navy Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Logan, spokesman for the US Department of Defense,saidThis move is the first step to protest China's recent actions on Vietnam's Truong Sa archipelago in the East Sea. Specifically, China has embellished and builtinfrastructurefacilities in this area, including some structures for military purposes only.

"China's behavior is inconsistent with the principles and purposes of the RIMPAC exercise," said Lieutenant Colonel Logan. He also said the US has ample evidence that China hasDeployed anti-ship missiles, air defense missiles and electronic jammers to the Spratly Islands.

RIMPAC was first held in 1971. The purpose of the exercise is to maintain cooperative naval relationships.between countries to ensure the safety of sea lanes and inter-oceanic security.

The theme of RIMPAC 2018 is “Capable, Adaptive, Partnering.” Participating forces will demonstrate naval capabilities and flexibility, including disaster relief, sea control, and multi-faceted warfare. Real-world training includes amphibious landings, gunnery, missile launches, anti-submarine warfare, air defense, and counter-piracy, as well as mine countermeasures and salvage operations.