(VOVworld) – The world’s largest naval exercise, dubbed RIMPAC, began Thursday off Hawaii and will continue until August.

The RIMPAC 2012 exercises included 42 ships from 22 different nations. (Photo: AP)

The 2014 RIMPAC involves 55 warships, over 200 aircraft, and approximately 25,000 personnel from 22 nations. The Pentagon confirmed that China will participate for the first time, but that Thailand, a participant in the past, will be absent this year.
The joint military exercise includes weapons testing, maritime and helicopter transport, anti-piracy operations, rescue operations after natural disasters, amphibious attack and landing operations, joint attacks by warships, and “cross-checking” – the deployment of a foreign liaison officer on a warship.