Fiji is one of the 28 countries taking part in the 14th iteration Exercise KAKADU from August 30 to September 15 at Darwin in Australia.

The crew of the Republic of Fiji Navy Ship Kikau recently spent time with the Australian Navy’s Defence Cooperation Programme Sea Training Unit (DCP STU).

Over a three day period the crew worked with the DCP STU to refine their processes and procedures in many of the mariner skills that may be required while conducting a patrol of the Fijian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

Training scenarios included fire-fighting in the galley and engine room, engineering breakdowns, communication drills and boarding operations with the crew of Kikau performing exceptionally well. In the final debrief Captain John Cowan, RAN, in his role as the Commander of the DCP STU, praised the crew and noted that their professionalism and attitude are outstanding and something to be proud of.

The Commanding Officer, LCDR Joseva Tunidau, and his crew will now spend time at HMAS Cairns preparing for the upcoming multi-national maritime exercise, Exercise KAKADU, based out of Darwin before returning to Fiji at the start of October.

Exercise KAKADU is Australia’s premier multi-lateral naval exercise. More than 2000 military personnel are expected to take part in the event which first took stage in 1993.

Australia hosts this exercise every two years as an opportunity to engage with regional navies to encourage greater cooperation.

Invitations to attend Exercise KAKADU 2018 were issued in September 2017 to the following nations: Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, China, Cook Islands, Fiji, France, India, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tonga, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America and Vietnam.

Chile, China, Sri Lanka and United Arab Emirates are participating for the first time.

The Exercise seeks to generate active and effective security partnerships between Australia and our region. KAKADU builds and strengthens mutual understanding and interoperability in the maritime domain through a series of training and engagement activities.

The Exercise will also feature the Fleet Commanders’ conference, providing the opportunity to discuss important issues of shared interest to the region.

The ships participating will be announced closer to the exercise.