The Republic of Fiji Military Forces has wrapped up the Table-Top Exercise (TTX) phase of Exercise Bougainville 2026 in Suva, with planners reporting clearer command arrangements during states of emergency, stronger communications linkages and the need for updated legislation as key positive outcomes. The TTX, which concluded last week, also exposed critical capability shortfalls in mobility assets, medical evacuation platforms and specialised equipment that organisers say must be addressed ahead of the live exercise in August.
Exercise Bougainville 2026 is scheduled for August in Fiji’s Western Division and is billed as a brigade-level, whole-of-government event. The TTX brought together a cross-section of national agencies and defence partners to test contingency plans and coordination across humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR), maritime incursions, civil disturbances, terrorism and other security threats. Participating agencies included the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Health and Medical Services, National Disaster Risk Management Office, Fiji Police Force, National Fire Authority, Fiji Airports and Fiji Revenue and Customs Service, among others.
Planners reported that tabletop scenarios helped clarify command relationships that would apply during declared states of emergency, reducing ambiguity about which agencies lead or support particular response activities. Communication flows between agencies were tested and improved, and the exercise highlighted gaps in legislation governing inter-agency response — an issue that emerged repeatedly during scenario discussions. These findings are being treated as priorities because they directly affect decision-making and coordination in fast-moving crisis situations.
However, the TTX also surfaced operational shortfalls that will shape the run-up to the August field exercise. Participants identified insufficient mobility platforms and transport assets to move forces and relief supplies rapidly across varied terrain, gaps in dedicated medical evacuation (medevac) capabilities for casualty extraction and stabilisation, and a lack of certain specialised equipment required for high-risk or technical tasks. Exercise planners say these capability gaps could limit the scale or speed of certain response options unless mitigated through additional resources, partner support or modified operational plans.
The TTX follows earlier planning stages for Bougainville 2026, including an Initial Planning Conference convened in February that set the structure for a brigade headquarters to integrate leadership, intelligence, logistics and communications. RFMF Commander Ro Jone Kalouniwai and senior land force staff, including Colonel Penioni Naliva, have been involved in the exercise planning process, which aims to bolster interoperability, operational readiness and national resilience.
Organisers characterised the August exercise as more than a military operation, emphasising a whole-of-government approach to defending Fiji’s people, borders and future — the theme chosen for Exercise Bougainville 2026, “From Strategy to Action: Defending Fiji’s People, Borders, and Future.” With the TTX now complete, the next phase is to translate lessons learned into practical adjustments to plans, resourcing and coordination arrangements ahead of the live drill in the Western Division. The TTX findings are expected to inform final preparations, including decisions on assets, training priorities and partner contributions.
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