US Navy ships take part in the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise. File photo: AFP/VNA

Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand and the Philippines will join RIMPAC 2022, along with several European countries, including Britain, France and Germany, according to the US Navy.

38 surface ships, four submarines, approximately 170 aircraft, and more than 25,000 personnel will train and maneuver in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California, the US Indo-Pacific Command said in a statement.

RIMPAC 2020 involved just 10 countries, including Japan, and was shortened to about two weeks due to COVID-19 restrictions.