PM Visits Fijian Troops in Australia

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and his delegation visited Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) personnel training with their Australian counterparts at the Shoalwater Bay Training Area in Central Queensland as part of his official high-level visit to Australia this week.

The RFMF contingent is currently engaged in a five-month training programme under the Talisman Sabre 2025, the largest combined military exercise by the Australian Defence Force involving 30,000 military personnel from 19 participating countries.

Alongside Fiji, personnel from the United States, France, Germany; India, Indonesia, Japan, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Norway; South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Tonga, and Papua New Guinea are also involved.

Fiji's military engagement is part of ongoing security co-operation between Fiji and Australia, which includes joint training exercises aimed at sharing tactical knowledge and strengthening regional security ties.

During the visit, the Fiji delegation observed a live demonstration of an offensive training phase.

"By training, exercising and deploying together, Fiji and Australia are improving our combined capability; capacity and interoperability;" Mr Rabuka said.

"Our shared commitment to this rotational company pilot demonstrates our close ties built on mutual interests and purpose."

The RFMF personnel are also part of a rotational company pilot, the first of its kind with any Pacific Defence Force.

The pilot will present options for potential future co-operation models and assist military personnel from both countries in integrating, collaborating, and building collective capacity prior to conducting a series of combined exercises at Talisman Sabre 2025.

The Prime Minister was joined by Minister for Defence and Veterans Affairs Pio Tikoduadua, Minister for Policing Ioane Naivalurua, Minister for Immigration Viliame Naupoto, Permanent Secretary for the Office of the Prime Minister Lesi Korovavala, Permanent Secretary for Civil Service and Public Enterprises Amena Yauvoli and RFMF Deputy Commander, Commodore Humphrey Tawake.

Feedback: jernese.macanawai@fijisun.com.fj