USNI News Western Pacific Pulse: Sept. 11, 2026

The following is a summary of major ship movements and exercises in the Western Pacific over the last week.

In the South China Sea

U.S. Navy Ensign Lorenzo Vigil stands watch on the bridge aboard Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) on Sept. 6, 2026. US Navy photo Aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), cruiser USS Robert Smalls (CG-62), destroyer USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. (DDG-121) are operating in the South China Sea following their departure from Thailand on Sunday after completing a port visit.

At Lumut Naval Base, Malaysia

Indian Navy destroyer INS Mysore (D60) arrived Sept. 9, 2026, at Royal Malaysian Navy Lumut Naval Base. Royal Malaysian Navy photo Indian Navy destroyer INS Mysore (D60) arrived Wednesday at Royal Malaysian Navy Lumut Naval Base to join RMN corvette KD Lekir (FSG26) and training ship KD Gagah Samudera (271) for exercise Samudra Laksamana 4/26. The joint Indian Navy-RMN exercise began on Thursday.

In Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

Personnel assigned to Pacific Partnership 2026 (PP26) observe a damage control demonstration during a tour aboard the British Royal Navy Batch 2 River-class offshore patrol vessel HMS Tamar (P233) in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, Sept. 7, 2026. US Navy photo The Malaysia phase of the U.S. Navy-led Pacific Partnership 2026 humanitarian and civic assistance mission is ongoing in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia. Royal Australian Navy amphibious dock landing ship HMAS Choules (L100) completed its assignment as the mission ship and has returned to Australia. Royal Navy offshore patrol vessel HMS Tamar (P233) is docked in Kota Kinabalu to participate in the mission.

In Indonesia

U.S. Army Spc. Dallas Demos with the 1st Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 2nd Mobile Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 11th Airborne Division shoots a FIM-92 Stinger during a joint, multinational short-range air defense training event featuring a Stinger and Mistral 3 system as part of Super Garuda Shield 26 at Baturaja Combat Training Center, Indonesia, Sept. 9, 2026. US Army photo U.S. Pacific Command, the Indonesian Armed Forces and personnel from 13 partner nations completed Exercise Super Garuda Shield 2026 on Friday. Beginning Aug. 31, approximately 5,000 personnel conducted drills in various locations throughout Indonesia, including Bandung in West Java, Baturaja Combat Training Center and Lampung in South Sumatera and North Kalimantan. The training included engineering construction activities, staff training exercises, airborne operations, jungle training, air assault operations, a field training exercise and combined arms live fire exercises, a Stinger missile live fire exercise, and a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) live fire exercise.

The U.S. Coast Guard Sentinel-class fast response cutters USCGC Emlen Tunnell (WPC 1145) and USCGC Charles Moulthrope (WPC 1141) transit Jakarta Bay into the Java Sea alongside Indonesian Navy fast attack craft KRI Siwar (646) and KRI Beladau (643) in support of exercise Super Garuda Shield 2026, Sept. 5, 2026. Indonesian Navy photo Coast Guard cutters USCGC Charles Moulthrope (WPC-1141) and USCGC Emlen Tunnell (WPC-1145) transited the Java Sea on Saturday with Indonesian Navy fast attack craft KRI Beladau (643) and KRI Siwar (646) in support of exercise Super Garuda Shield 2026.

Marine Rotational Force-Darwin 26 are participating in Super Garuda Shield. Approximately 230 Marines and sailors from MRF-D 26 recently carried out various drills in Lampung, South Sumatera with the Indonesian Marine Corps, Republic of Korea Marine Corps and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade (ARDB). On Wednesday, MRF-D 26 conducted a force-on-force exercise with personnel from the 2nd Amphibious Deployment Regiment, ARDB.

In Kijing Port, West Kalimantan, Indonesia

Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force amphibious tank landing ship JS Kunisaki (LST-4003) and three embarked Japan JGSDF CH-47 helicopters arrived Sept. 10, 2026, in Kijing Port, Indonesia. Japan Self-Defense Force photo Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force amphibious tank landing ship JS Kunisaki (LST-4003) and three embarked Japan JGSDF CH-47 helicopters arrived Thursday in Kijing Port to assist Indonesia with firefighting and relief operations against the ongoing wildfire in the area.

In Sihanoukville Autonomous Port, Cambodia

Russian Navy training ship RFS Perekop arrived Sept. 7, 2026, to Cam Ranh, Vietnam, for a two -day port visit. Russian Embassy of Vietnam photo Russian Navy training ship RFS Perekop arrived Friday at Sihanoukville Autonomous Port, Cambodia, for a two day visit, reported Cambodian newspaper Khmer Times. The Russian training ship made a port visit on Monday and Tuesday to Cam Ranh, Vietnam. Perekop is assigned to the Russian Navy Baltic Fleet and is carrying out a long-distance training cruise.

In Zhanjiang, China

Republic of Singapore Navy frigate RSS Steadfast (70) and People’s Liberation Army Navy frigate CNS Dali (553) participate in a photo exercise as part of a series of drills held Sept. 5-9, 2026. Republic of Singapore Navy photo From Saturday to Wednesday, Republic of Singapore Navy frigate RSS Steadfast (70) and People’s Liberation Army Navy frigate CNS Dali (553) conducted a series of maritime security and conventional warfare drills in the waters off Zhanjiang, China. The drills included gunnery firings, communications and maneuvering exercises, search and rescue exercises and medical evacuation drills.

In Guam

Maritime forces from the Royal Australian Navy, Royal Canadian Navy, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, Royal New Zealand Air Force, Republic of Korea Navy and U.S. Navy concluded maritime exercise Pacific Vanguard 2026 on Sept. 10, 2026. Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force photo On Thursday in Guam, maritime forces from the Royal Australian Navy, Royal Canadian Navy, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, Royal New Zealand Air Force, Republic of Korea Navy and U.S. Navy concluded maritime exercise Pacific Vanguard 2026.

Participating ships and units include JMSDF destroyer JS Fuyuzuki (DD-118), a JMSDF submarine and a P-1 Maritime Patrol Aircraft, ROKN maritime staff support, RAN destroyer HMAS Sydney (DDG42), RCN frigate HMCS Regina (FFH334), an RNZAF P-8 Poseidon MPA, dry cargo ship USNS Charles Drew (T-AKE 10), and a U.S. Navy P-8 Poseidon MPA. A JMSDF photo shows a U.S. submarine also participating in the drills.

In Wonsan, North Korea

The second Choe Hyon-class destroyer, Kang Kon (52), was commissioned Sept. 6, 2026. State media Korean Central News Agency photo North Korea commissioned the second of its 5,000-ton Choe Hyon-class destroyer, Kang Kon (52), in a ceremony on Sunday at Wonsan Port.

Near South Korea

U.S. Navy Seaman Angelaada Igoche stands watch on the starboard bridge wing aboard while Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold (DDG-65) steams alongside Sejong the Great-class guided-missile destroyer ROKS Yulgok Yi I (DDG 992) during a maritime maneuvering exercise with Republic of Korea Navy and Japan Maritime Defense Force in the Western Pacific Ocean, Sept. 10, 2026, in support of Freedom Edge 26. US Navy photo The U.S., Japan and South Korea carried out trilateral multi-domain exercise Freedom Edge 26 from Monday to Friday.

“Throughout the exercise, participating forces trained across a series of events that tested how quickly and effectively the three nations could communicate and operate together. Ships operated in formation and practiced replenishment-at-sea while maritime and aviation crews rehearsed conducting multilateral medical evacuation and search and rescue operations. Air crews flew in multinational formations, while command-and-control teams synchronized actions across multiple domains,” reads a U.S. Pacific Command news release.

The maritime portion of the drill saw destroyer USS Benfold (DDG-65) operate with ROKN destroyers ROKS Yulgok Yi I (DDG-992) and ROKS Seoae Ryu Seong-ryong (DDG-993), fast combat support ship ROKS Cheonji (AOE-57) and JMSDF destroyers JS Asahi (DD-119) and JS Atago (DDG-177).

In Kure, Japan

JMSDF submarine JS Hakugei (SS-514) departed Sept. 10, 2026, from JMSDF Kure Naval Base for submarine training near Hawaii. Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force photo JMSDF submarine JS Hakugei (SS-514) departed Thursday from JMSDF Kure Naval Base for submarine training near Hawaii. This will be the first time that a Taigei-class submarine – a class that entered service in 2022 – has deployed to Hawaii for training.

In Yokosuka, Japan

米海軍ﾛｻﾝｾﾞﾙｽ級原子力潜水艦「ｽｸﾗﾝﾄﾝ(USS Scranton, SSN-756)」寄港(UW2) pic.twitter.com/eSACi5Zmae

— モリジュン(MoriJun) (@HNlEHupY4Nr6hRM) September 8, 2026

Fast attack submarine USS Scranton (SSN-756) pulled into Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka on Tuesday for rest, resupply and maintenance, according to a notification by the Yokosuka City Council and Japanese ship spotters.

The Royal New Zealand Navy Task Group docked at the JMSDF Yokosuka Naval Base on Tuesday for resupply and maintenance. The task group includes frigate HMNZS Te Mana (F111) and fleet oiler HMNZS Aotearoa (A11).

The Royal New Zealand Navy Task Group conducted joint training Sept. 7-8, 2026, with JMSDF destroyer JS Amagiri (DD-154). Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force photo Prior to arriving at Yokosuka, the RNZN Task Group carried out joint training from Monday to Tuesday with JMSDF destroyer JS Amagiri (DD-154) in waters south of the Kanto region.

The RNZN task group deployed on June 12 from New Zealand to participate in multinational exercise Rim of the Pacific 2026 and ballistic missile defense exercise Pacific Dragon that were held in Hawaii. Afterwards, the task group headed to the waters around Japan to conduct monitoring and surveillance activities from mid-August to September in support of the United Nations sanctions on North Korea. Since its deployment began, Aotearoa has conducted 160 replenishment-at-sea operations, according to the ship’s board counter.

イタリア海軍の艦、｢ジョヴァンニ・デッレ・バンデ・ネーレ( ITS Giovanni delle Bande Nere)」が横須賀港を出港しました！ pic.twitter.com/63fSCgQsM8

— ︎アルザス︎ (@Alsace_class) September 6, 2026

Italian Navy multi-role combat vessel ITS Giovanni delle Bande Nere (P434) departed Monday from JMSDF Yokosuka Naval Base following a port visit that began on Sept. 2, according to Japanese ship spotters.. Following its departure, Giovanni delle Bande Nere conducted a link exercise on the same day with JMSDF frigate JS Mogami (FFM-1). The Italian ship is now headed to Vietnam, reads a social media post by the Italian Navy.

In Okinawa, Japan

Kurily (208) on Sept. 9, 2026. Japan Joint Staff Office photo Russian Navy surveillance ship Kurily (208) was sighted sailing west 150 kilometers – 93 miles – east of Oki-Daito Island at 3 a.m. on Wednesday. The surveillance ship then sailed northwest through the contiguous zone extending from east to north of Oki-Daito Island.

On Thursday, Kurily sailed southeast of Okinawa to northwest of Kume Island before entering the East China Sea. JMSDF minesweeper JS Takshima (MSC-603) and a JMSDF P-3C Orion MPA of Fleet Air Wing 5 shadowed the Russian ship, according to the JSO. Kurily previously sailed east between Okinawa and Miyako Island on June 30.

Near Southwest Japan

A Chinese Y-9 flew over southwest Japan on Sept. 5, 2026. Japan Joint Staff Office map Chinese Y-9 electronic intelligence aircraft conducted surveillance flights over southwest Japan on Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Wednesday, according to releases by Japan’s Joint Staff Office.

On Saturday, a Y-9 flew in from China and then changed course over the East China Sea while east of Okinawa to head northeast. The aircraft later changed course while south of the Danjo Islands to head towards China.

A Y-9 on Sunday flew in from China, traveling east until it was south of the Danjo Islands, and then flew southwest. While east of Okinawa, the Y-9 turned around to fly back the same way until it was south of the Danjo Islands and then flew back towards China.

On Monday, a Y-9 flew in from China east over the East China Sea until it was south of the Danjo Islands. Then the Y-9 changed course to fly southwest until it was east of Okinawa and flew back the same way until it was south of the Danjo Islands and returned to China.

On Wednesday, a Y-9 flew over the East China Sea from China and conducted a back-and-forth flight pattern southwest of the Danjo Islands before flying back to China.

On all four occasions, fighter aircraft from the Japan Air Self-Defense Force were scrambled in response.

Near the Miyagi Prefecture

A Russian IL-20 ELINT on Sept. 5, 2026. Japan Joint Staff Office photo On Saturday, a Russian IL-20 ELINT aircraft flew in from the Russian continent, passed over the Sea of ​​Okhotsk to enter the Pacific Ocean and then headed south until it was east of the Miyagi Prefecture. The IL-20 then flew back the same way to return to the Sea of Japan. In response, fighter aircraft from the JASDF Northern Air Defense Command and other units were scrambled, Japan’s Joint Staff Office said.

In La Pérouse Strait

RFS Rezkiy (343) carried out a westward transit of La Pérouse Strait on Sept. 5-6, 2026. Japan Joint Staff Office photo Russian Navy corvette RFS Rezkiy (343) carried out a westward transit of La Pérouse Strait from Sunday to Monday. The corvette sailed west 50 kilometers northeast of Cape Soya on Sunday.

JMSDF fast attack craft JS Hayabusa (PG-824) and a JMSDF P-3C Orion MPA of Fleet Air Wing 2 shadowed the Russian corvette, according to the JSO. Rezkiy carried out a westward transit of La Pérouse Strait on Aug. 31.

In Sydney, Australia

HMAS Choules returns Sept. 11, 2026, to Fleet Base East after completing Exercise Pacific Partnership 2026. Royal Australian Navy photo Royal Australian Navy amphibious dock landing ship HMAS Choules (L100) returned Friday to RAN Fleet Base East following an 87-day Indo-Pacific deployment supporting Exercise Pacific Partnership 2026.

This post was written by Dzirhan Mahadzir.