RIMPAC 2024 SINKEX: A Message to Beijing on Naval Capabilities
The 2024 Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise culminated in a significant demonstration of naval firepower with the sinking of two decommissioned U.S. Warships, the USS Dubuque (LPD-8) and the USS Tarawa (LHA-1). This event, known as a SINKEX, wasn’t merely a training exercise; it served as a strategic signal to the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), showcasing the U.S. Navy’s ability to overcome advanced anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) systems and neutralize high-value targets.
The SINKEX: A Benchmark for Modern Anti-Surface Warfare
The sinking of the USS Tarawa and USS Dubuque serves as a benchmark for modern anti-surface warfare (ASuW) testing. The Tarawa, a 39,000-ton amphibious assault ship, was sunk on July 19, 2024, more than 50 miles off the northern coast of Kauai, Hawaii, in approximately 15,000 feet of water. The Dubuque was sunk on July 11, 2024. This marked the first time a Tarawa-class vessel had been used as a target in nearly two decades, with the previous such event involving the USS Belleau Wood during RIMPAC 2006.
New Munitions Demonstrated
The SINKEX featured the deployment of cutting-edge weaponry, including the Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) fired from a U.S. Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet. LRASM is designed as a precise, stealthy, and survivable cruise missile capable of multi-service, multi-platform, and multi-mission offensive anti-surface warfare. Currently deployed from U.S. Navy F/A-18 and U.S. Air Force B-1B aircraft, the LRASM is a key component in extending the U.S. Navy’s reach in the Pacific.
a U.S. Air Force B-2 Spirit stealth bomber participated in a separate demonstration, employing QUICKSINK munitions to defeat surface vessels. QUICKSINK is a Joint Capability Technology Demonstration (JCTD) program designed to provide a low-cost, air-delivered weapon capable of neutralizing surface maritime threats.
A Message to China
The timing and nature of the SINKEX are strategically significant. With China possessing the largest navy in the world by number of ships, and actively developing ship-killing capabilities, the U.S. Navy’s demonstration of LRASM and QUICKSINK serves as a clear message. These munitions extend the U.S. Navy’s reach and demonstrate its ability to penetrate China’s A2/AD systems, even in the event of conflict over Taiwan.
RIMPAC and International Cooperation
RIMPAC 2024 involved 29 nations, 40 surface ships, three submarines, 14 nations’ land forces, more than 150 aircraft, and 25,000 personnel. The exercise, which ran from June 27 to August 1, underscores the importance of international cooperation in maintaining maritime security and ensuring freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific region.
“The power of RIMPAC is in how it strengthens relationships between participating nations by challenging us to conduct realistic and relevant training together,” said Royal Australian Air Force Air Commodore Louise desJardins, Combined Force Air Component Commander.