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READOUT: 12th Multilateral Maritime Virtual Key Leadership Engagement

18 June 2025

From U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs

U.S. Pacific Fleet Commander Adm. Steve Koehler hosted the 12th Multilateral Maritime Virtual Key Leadership Engagement from Pacific Fleet Headquarters in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, June 17, 2025. Representatives from 19 nations participated in the engagement, including 13 heads of navy from countries in Northeast and Southeast Asia, the Indian Ocean, Oceania, and North and South America.

Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, left, hosts a virtual key leader engagement with partners from 19 navies, June 17, 2025. The leaders discussed achieving maritime security in the Indo-Pacific through innovation and technology. Key leader engagements remain vitally important to ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific by providing venues to strengthen partnerships. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Christopher Sypert)
Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, left, hosts a virtual key leader engagement with partners from 19 navies, June 17, 2025. The leaders discussed achieving maritime security in the Indo-Pacific through innovation and technology. Key leader engagements remain vitally important to ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific by providing venues to strengthen partnerships. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Christopher Sypert)
Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, left, hosts a virtual key leader engagement with partners from 19 navies, June 17, 2025. The leaders discussed achieving maritime security in the Indo-Pacific through innovation and technology. Key leader engagements remain vitally important to ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific by providing venues to strengthen partnerships. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Christopher Sypert)
250617-N-TT639-1048
Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, left, hosts a virtual key leader engagement with partners from 19 navies, June 17, 2025. The leaders discussed achieving maritime security in the Indo-Pacific through innovation and technology. Key leader engagements remain vitally important to ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific by providing venues to strengthen partnerships. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Christopher Sypert)
Photo By: Petty Officer 2nd Class Christopher Sypert
VIRIN: 250617-N-TT639-1048


The leaders discussed achieving maritime security in the Indo-Pacific by collaborating through innovation and technology. They focused on the need to improve technical interoperability to strengthen deterrence, deepen trust, and address security challenges in the region.   

They recognized the importance of integrating unmanned systems across all domains to enhance surveillance, reduce risk to personnel, and increase operational range and endurance. They also discussed the challenges presented by the rapid evolution of technology in the maritime environment and the crucial role collaboration is playing in enabling partner nations to adapt effectively.  

The leaders also stressed the need for continued information sharing to improve maritime domain awareness, build trust among allies and partners, and further increase opportunities to operate together.  

Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, left, hosts a virtual key leader engagement with partners from 19 navies, June 17, 2025. The leaders discussed achieving maritime security in the Indo-Pacific through innovation and technology. Key leader engagements remain vitally important to ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific by providing venues to strengthen partnerships. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Christopher Sypert)
Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, left, hosts a virtual key leader engagement with partners from 19 navies, June 17, 2025. The leaders discussed achieving maritime security in the Indo-Pacific through innovation and technology. Key leader engagements remain vitally important to ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific by providing venues to strengthen partnerships. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Christopher Sypert)
Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, left, hosts a virtual key leader engagement with partners from 19 navies, June 17, 2025. The leaders discussed achieving maritime security in the Indo-Pacific through innovation and technology. Key leader engagements remain vitally important to ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific by providing venues to strengthen partnerships. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Christopher Sypert)
250617-N-TT639-1005
Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, left, hosts a virtual key leader engagement with partners from 19 navies, June 17, 2025. The leaders discussed achieving maritime security in the Indo-Pacific through innovation and technology. Key leader engagements remain vitally important to ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific by providing venues to strengthen partnerships. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Christopher Sypert)
Photo By: Petty Officer 2nd Class Christopher Sypert
VIRIN: 250617-N-TT639-1005


The leaders extended condolences to the Republic of Korea for the loss of lives from the recent P-3 crash. 
 
This 12th iteration meeting came at a time when the U.S. Navy, and its allies and partners are conducting more operations and exercises together that are large and complex to demonstrate interoperability and deter aggression. 

The multinational maritime engagement program underscored Pacific Fleet’s commitment to maintaining a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific alongside allies and partners.  

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