When it comes to a show of naval might, few events can match the biennial Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC), hosted by the US in Hawaii. The world's largest naval exercise, which was scheduled to end on August 2 after this article was published, brought together 25,000 sailors, airmen, and soldiers from 29 countries. Over the past month, like-minded navies have honed their skills in a variety of missions, from disaster relief to anti-submarine warfare. The exercise also included a “sinking exercise,” where they had the opportunity to torpedo a rusting 36,000-ton US amphibious assault ship.
Premium A US Air Force F-16 fighter jet in flight. (AFP)
Beyond military grandeur, exercises like RIMPAC serve as a means to solidify and strengthen relationships. And when it comes to attracting regional nations, the United States continues to outdo China as an exercise partner in the region. According to a study of military exercises conducted in Asia between 2003 and 2022 by the London-based think tank International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), the United States will participate in 1,113 exercises with regional nations. China conducted just 130 exercises during the same period (see Figure 1).
Why the difference? It shows how each country would fight if war broke out. China would fight in its own backyard, while the U.S. would rely on the support and capabilities of allies far away, says Evan Laksmana, co-author of the study. Such a coalition war would require regular, intensive training to iron out potential gaps in communications and technology. In contrast, China likely doesn't have any real allies to fight alongside it in the first place. China trains with Russia in the region, but the Kremlin's aging navy is unlikely to be much of a force.
Second, joint military exercises depend on trust, and few countries trust China. China claims almost the entire South China Sea and uses its navy, coast guard and even a “maritime militia” of armed fishing fleets to intimidate its neighbors. That limits the number of countries willing to train with China (see Figure 2), says Ian Storey of the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, a Singapore-based think tank. China has tried to ease those concerns by conducting more mundane exercises, such as counterterrorism and disaster relief (see Figure 3). But these are often relatively simple, Storey says.
Of course, China does see some value in holding joint exercises, in large part because it gives it access to Western military equipment. Temporary partners such as Singapore and Thailand operate Western-made platforms and systems. They also provide a shop window for China's own military equipment. Plus, for a country that hasn't experienced a major war in 40 years, the joint exercises provide a training opportunity.
Dislodging the United States as its main defense partner in Asia will be difficult. China is likely to focus on strengthening ties with a handful of countries, including Pakistan, Russia and Thailand, the IISS report concluded. But to U.S. officials, the fact that more regional countries are expressing interest in U.S. exercises is further evidence that alliance-building efforts in the region are working.
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