The Republic of Fiji Navy’s Guardian-class patrol boat RFNS Timo arrived in Cairns, Australia this week as it prepares to take part in a forthcoming military exercise and fleet review, the Navy said on Thursday. The vessel was brought safely into harbour under the guidance of Lieutenant Commander Mitch Thomas, the Royal Australian Navy’s maritime security advisor to Fiji, who piloted the ship during the arrival.
The Fiji Navy said the crew of RFNS Timo are in good health and are carrying out pre-exercise preparations aboard the patrol boat while in Cairns. The deployment forms part of a short but busy period for the RFN’s Guardian-class vessels, which have been active around Fiji and in regional operations over the past few days, the service added.
Separately, RFNS Savenaca has been supporting regional activity this week by taking part in 3FIR Exercise Guadalcanal. The vessel transported troops to Vanua Levu as part of the exercise’s movements and is scheduled to undertake further tasks in the coming days, the Navy said. Details of those subsequent tasks were not disclosed.
The arrival of Timo in Cairns and Savenaca’s operational movements underline the Republic of Fiji Navy’s heightened tempo ahead of the exercise and fleet review. Having an Australian naval advisor directly involved in piloting RFNS Timo into port highlights continuing practical cooperation between Fiji and Australia on maritime security, training and interoperability. Those bilateral ties have been reinforced in recent years under frameworks such as the Vuvale Partnership and other regional security arrangements.
Naval deployments like these also come as Fiji’s maritime security forces have gained increased international attention and support. In recent months bilateral and multilateral partners have announced assistance and funding aimed at improving maritime surveillance and response capabilities across the Pacific. The RFN’s participation in combined exercises and fleet activities in Australia provides crews valuable exposure to joint operations and cross-deck procedures ahead of planned multinational events.
The Navy did not provide further operational detail about the exercises or a schedule for the fleet review, nor did it comment on the full list of participating countries or vessels. For now, the RFNS Timo remains in Cairns preparing with its crew, while RFNS Savenaca continues to fulfil scheduled support tasks connected to Exercise Guadalcanal.
Leave a comment