RIMPAC 2026 - Coalition Interoperability at Scale

Modern military operations increasingly take place in an environment where large numbers of platforms, sensors, units and command and control systems must operate together. RIMPAC 2026 demonstrates this trend at exceptional scale.

The exercise around the Hawaiian Islands involved 30 nations, 30 ships, 5 submarines, more than 190 aircraft and over 30,000 personnel. This scale is not only a demonstration of naval power. It is above all a practical example of how complex it is to plan, command and coordinate operations in a large coalition environment.

Footage of ships and submarines sailing in formation is impressive. However, the real significance of such exercises lies deeper — in the ability of participants to share information, create a common situational picture and operate as one connected operational capability.

This is where interoperability plays a critical role. Without reliable data exchange, common procedures and the ability to integrate into a coalition environment, the full potential of modern systems cannot be used. This applies across the maritime domain, air, land, cyber and the electromagnetic spectrum.

In electronic warfare, this requirement is particularly important. The electromagnetic spectrum is a dynamic, rapidly changing and operationally sensitive environment. Individual sensors or systems are not enough if their outputs cannot be quickly processed, shared and used for decision-making.

JISR Institute has long focused on solutions for command and control, data integration and interoperability in electronic warfare. This also includes support for capabilities related to CESMO — Cooperative Electronic Support Measure Operations.

CESMO enables the cooperative sharing of information from electronic support measure systems among participating users and supports the creation of a common situational picture in the electromagnetic spectrum. In a coalition environment, it contributes to better coordination, faster decision-making and more effective use of available sensors and systems.

RIMPAC 2026 is a clear reminder: modern defence is not only about the size of individual platforms, but about the ability to connect them into one coherent capability. Integrated. Prepared.

More about RIMPAC 2026:
https://www.cpf.navy.mil/rimpac/news/