Fijian troops deployed to Australia under 5-month defence partnership

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Australian Army and Republic of Fiji Military Forces officers and soldiers conduct a welcome ceremony at 8th/9th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment, in Gallipoli Barracks, Enoggera, Queensland. Photo: LCPL Andy Arreza

A rotation of Republic of Fiji Military Forces personnel will spend the next five months in Australia during a defence partnership between the two countries.

A rotation of Republic of Fiji Military Forces personnel will spend the next five months in Australia during a defence partnership between the two countries.

The company-sized RFMF contingent has been deployed to Australia in support of Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 and Exercise Coral Warrior 2025. The non-reciprocal rotational company is the first of its kind with any Pacific defence force and will inform options for potential future rotational models.

Around 130 RFMF personnel will be embedded within Army’s 7 Brigade at Gallipoli Barracks in Brisbane, conducting a series of familiarisation and field training activities alongside the Australian Defence Force.

 
 

“In the spirit of Vuvale, Australia and Fiji share a strong Defence partnership built on mutual benefit, cooperation and respect,” Chief of Defence Force Admiral David Johnston said.

“The Republic of Fiji Military Forces rotational company pilot uplifts the interoperability of our forces and is an excellent opportunity for our nations.

“I am pleased that Defence is able to partner with Fiji to deliver an extended Republic of Fiji Military Forces deployment to Australia.”

The deployment allows ADF and RFMF personnel to integrate, collaborate and build collective capacity prior to conducting a series of joint exercises at Talisman Sabre 2025.

By training, exercising and deploying together, Fiji and Australia are expected to improve their combined capability and interoperability.

The extension of the Vuvale partnership builds on the close cooperation, consultation and friendship between the two nations with the commitment to this rotational company pilot demonstrating ties built on mutual interests and training objectives.

Australia is committed to working and training alongside its Pacific partners in support of a peaceful, secure and prosperous Pacific region, according to the Australian government.

Robert Dougherty

Robert is a senior journalist who has previously worked for Seven West Media in Western Australia, as well as Fairfax Media and Australian Community Media in New South Wales. He has produced national headlines, photography and videography of emergency services, business, community, defence and government news across Australia. Robert graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, Majoring in Public Relations and Journalism at Curtin University, attended student exchange program with Fudan University and holds Tier 1 General Advice certification for Kaplan Professional. Reach out via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or via LinkedIn.
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