Ships from at least five powerful navies are expected to visit Fiji next month.

This was revealed by Republic of the Fiji Military Forces Chief Staff Officer co-ordination, Captain Eroni Duaibe after the arrival of the French Naval vessel, Vendemiaire in Suva yesterday.

He said next month would be busy period for the Republic of the Fiji Military Forces as they prepared for the arrival of the naval ships.

Captain Duaibe said on October 11 to  October 18, US Naval roll-on, roll-off ship, USNS Pililaau would berth at Lautoka’s Queen’s Wharf. The ship would bring US marines.

While here the marines will conduct a joint exercise with the RFMF.

United States Embassy’s regional public affairs officer, Dmitri Tarakhovsky, said they would be divulging information on the arrival of their naval ship once they were notified.

Captain Duaibe said from October 13 to 18, two Australian mine sweepers would be here.

They are the HMAS Diamantina and the HMAS Huon.

Captain Duaibe said other foreign naval vessels coming to Fiji include the Indian Navy stealth frigate Shivalik, which will be here from October 25 to 28.

“So we have a very busy month with all these ships visiting and we hope that there will be more coming to our shores,” he said.

Captain Duaibe said there was a specific purpose to which the Indian Navy Ship’s visit to Fiji, however he refused to divulge details.

However, Indian High Commissioner, Vishvas Sapkal said the visit would build bilateral relations between the Fiji and Indian Navy.

Mr Vishvas said the naval ship would be carrying on board agricultural seeds that were requested by the Fijian Government.

He said a crew of 257 would be on the naval ship.

“These are best quality agricultural seeds that are supplied by the Indian Council for Agricultural Research which is the premier institution in the agriculture sector. It will help improve the agricultural sector in Fiji,” he said.

Fiji Navy Commander, John Fox, said they had received a diplomatic call notifying them on the Indian Navy Ship, Shivalik.

Captain Duaibe said an invitation was also sent to the Russian Government for the visitation of one of their naval ship to Fiji.

He said a Chinese Naval Ship was also expected to be in Fiji.

The Chinese Ambassador, Zhang Ping, declined to comment.

Captain Duaibe said the ships coming here coincided with an event in New Zealand where naval vessels from around the world converged.

He said they would be expecting last minute information on the arrival of more foreign naval vessels around that time.

“The visitation of these foreign navy ships goes back to the Government’s foreign policies; we are friends to all and enemies to none so we will accommodate all the countries.

“As we strengthen military ties, it also strengthens and deepens ties on the diplomatic level, also at the Government level,” Captain Duaibe said.

Edited By Maraia Vula

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