India Offers More
The Republic of the Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) intends to send officer cadets for commissioning courses abroad.
Wednesday 17 August 2022 | 23:00
From left: Commissioner of Police Brigadier-General Sitiveni Qiliho, Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces Major-General Ro Jone Kalouniwai share a light moment while watching the fifth round of the Bainimarama Competition at the Queen Elizabeth Barracks ground on August 17, 2022. The Force Training Group (FTG) team won the match against Headquarters Land Force Command (LFC) 27- 24. Photo: Ronald Kuma
The Republic of the Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) intends to send officer cadets for commissioning courses abroad.
India has indicated its keen interest.
In 2017, Fiji signed a Memorandum of Understanding with India in the areas of co-operation including defence industry, military training and humanitarian assistance and disaster management.
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The recruitment of commissioned officers to India had been halted but will soon be revitalised following India’s offer.
Discussions are also ongoing with other defence partners including United States of America, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.
Commander RFMF, Major- General Ro Jone Kalouniwai said they were happy with the offers, but they are mindful of the number of cadet officers they send.
“India is very keen to take in a few more cadets and whoever would offer we will send them out,” Major-General Ro Jone said.
Course syllabus and tactics are different among the defence partners.
“We have found out that we have to control the numbers from our end,” he said.
“We need to manage the officers going and coming.
“At the same time we need to stick to a regiment where we all can work on a similar basis.”
Meanwhile, three officer cadets left in July for Australia to attend The Royal Military College in Duntroon.
One more will soon depart for the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in the United Kingdom, one of the best in the world.
Tour to peacekeepers
Major-General Ro Jone returned on Tuesday after his tour to the Middle East visiting our troops with discussions surrounding mission leadership.
“The troops are all in good shape and are very healthy. I was surprised when I got in and saw their physical state.”
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