Japan donates three patrol boats worth $6m to Fiji Navy

The Republic of Fiji Navy has received three patrol boats from the Government of Japan, valued at about $6 million, in a move to strengthen Fiji's defence and maritime security capabilities.

The patrol boats are the third batch of equipment provided under Japan's Official Security Assistance (OSA) programme, established in April 2023 to strengthen defence cooperation and provide security assistance to the armed forces and related organisations of partner countries, including Fiji.

Japan’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Fiji, Hiroshi Tajima, hands over boats to Minister for Defence and Veteran Affairs Pio Tikoduadua at the Stanley Brown Naval Base in Walu Bay, Suva, on June 29, 2026.

Photo: Asenaca Ratu

Japan's Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Fiji, Hiroshi Tajima, handed over the patrol boats to Minister for Defence and Veteran Affairs Pio Tikoduadua at Stanley Brown Naval Base in Walu Bay, Suva, yesterday.

Mr Tikoduadua described the handover as a significant boost to Fiji's maritime security capabilities.

"It will strengthen the Republic of Fiji Navy's ability to undertake maritime surveillance, enforce our laws at sea, respond to emergencies, conduct search and rescue operations, and protect Fiji's maritime resources.

"For Fiji, maritime security is national security.

"As a large ocean state, our prosperity, our sovereignty and the well-being of our people depend on a safe and secure maritime domain. The capabilities being provided today will help our Navy meet those responsibilities more effectively," Mr Tikoduadua said.

Mr Tajima said he hoped the patrol boats would strengthen Fiji's maritime security and deterrence capabilities.

"Through this initiative, Japan provides defence equipment and supplies while extending assistance for infrastructure development, capacity building and improving operational efficiency," Mr Tajima said.

Mr Tikoduadua said the handover was another practical demonstration of the strong partnership between Fiji and Japan.

He said the Japan-Fiji-Lomavata-Kizuna Partnership provided a framework for expanding cooperation in security, economic development, climate resilience, education and people-to-people exchanges.

Under the OSA programme, the Fiji Navy has also received an underwater camera, a rescue boat, a water rescue training mannequin and a rigid-hull inflatable boat this year.