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Australia’s Pacific Support Vessel, Australian Defence Vessel Reliant, has begun its first deployment of 2026, departing Townsville as it sets out to visit Kiribati, Nauru, Tonga, Fiji and the Solomon Islands in the next three months.
The vessel is engaged in responding to Pacific partners’ requests and supporting maritime weather surveillance during the high-risk weather season.
A key task will be delivering critical supplies to strengthen border security in the Solomon Islands, providing facilities for customs, immigration, biosecurity and the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force.
Chief of Joint Operations Vice Admiral Justin Jones AO CSC RAN said ADV Reliant’s program underscores Australia’s commitment to the Pacific.
“ADV Reliant is a demonstration of Australia’s commitment to regionally-led solutions to the Pacific’s needs,” VADM Jones said.
“In 2025, ADV Reliant and her crews were deployed in support of regional resilience for more than 270 days.
“They responded to Pacific partners’ requests to support maritime surveillance and search and rescue operations and delivered essential Guardian Class patrol boat spares and equipment.
“ADV Reliant is a versatile and valued asset to the region.”
ADV Reliant completed three significant deployments in 2025, answering requests for assistance and strengthening Australia’s relationships with Pacific island countries. Key achievements included delivering two fire trucks each to Kiribati and Tonga, providing humanitarian and disaster relief stores to Fiji, supplying spares and stores to sustain Fiji, Tonga, Tuvalu, and the Cook Islands’ Guardian Class patrol boats.
It also conducted hydrographic survey tasks to support safe navigation in Pacific ports as well as rescuing four sailors from a distressed civilian vessel while in transit to a port visit in Suva, Fiji.
In October last year, ADV Reliant hosted 15 members of the Pacific Response Group for induction training, including safety training, media awareness training, ship familiarisation and a Gender Focal Point course.
During its deployment, ADV Reliant operated on renewable diesel, contributing to lower carbon emissions in the south-west Pacific and supporting Pacific Island nations that are particularly vulnerable to climate change.
