International Maritime Exercise 2022, an 18-day biennial naval training event led by U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, combines with exercise Cutlass Express led annually by U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa in East African coastal regions and the West Indian Ocean.
The combined training includes 9,000 personnel and up to 50 ships from more than 60 partner nations and international organisations operating across two regions.
“This level of representation demonstrates shared resolve in preserving the rules-based international order,” said Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, U.S. 5th Fleet and Combined Maritime Forces.
“This is a unique opportunity to increase our capabilities and interoperability while strengthening maritime ties.”
According to the U.S. Navy, IMX/CE 2022 is not only the largest multinational naval exercise in the Middle East but also the largest unmanned exercise in the world with more than 80 unmanned systems from 10 nations participating.
“International naval forces participating in IMX/CE 2022 are divided into four geographical combined task forces led by the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Kenya and Oman. A combined task force called Task Force X was also established for conducting portions of the exercise focused on unmanned systems and artificial intelligence integration.
Cooper is the exercise commander and commodores from Pakistan and the United Kingdom serve as the deputy commander and vice commander respectively. This is the seventh iteration of IMX since its establishment in 2012. Training evolutions during this year’s combined exercise will span across the Arabian Gulf, Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea and North Indian Ocean.”
A full list of nations and international organisations participating is shown below.
Quite a few nations alongside post exercise right now. In no particular order, Japan, KSA, US, UK,UAE. probably get a few more from tomorrow.
Russia, China and Iran flexing muscles in the area few days ago. Sure it’s coincidence but nice little reminder for them. Bit like Crocodile Dundee. You call that a knife ? Now this is a knife.
The three Russian Pacific Fleet ships that took part are about to enter the Med for exercises there. After that they may head for Murmansk as timing wise they are on course to circumnavigate the Eurasian landmass via the NE Passage. Not sure if that has been done yet.
Whenever Russia, Iran and China do an exercise, it’s “Flexing their muscles” rather than just an exercise to protect their rights and assets?
60 wow
Some of those 60 where headquarters shoreside
Still impressive.
It’s the “up to” bit that gets me. It’s a phrase I hate, and It’s becoming MOD speak for “nothing like” rather than “what’s expected”.
“Up to” encompasses anything from 1 to whatever the top figure is. For instance, When I go to the pub I usually have up-to 50 pints…hic!
AA
Yemen? Are they playing the bad guys. Kazakhstan? Didn’t know they had a navy.
they do – very nice, high 5, great success!
“Navy to make great glorious country of Kazakhtsan – sexy times”
Go Commander Borat!