Defence Minister Pio Tikoduadua told Parliament on Monday that attempts to breach the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) armoury have occurred previously, confirming that last week’s high-profile incident was not an isolated event. Speaking in response to a question from Opposition MP Premila Kumar, Tikoduadua said the revelation underlines an ongoing threat to critical military infrastructure and has sharpened scrutiny of national security preparedness.
“Attempts were made in the past,” the minister told MPs, while declining to provide operational details because inquiries are still under way. He said the matter falls squarely within the scope of the National Security Strategy (NSS), which sets the policy framework for how institutions governed by it must react to such events. “The NSS is the encompassing strategy for events such as this… institutions that are governed under this policy have to react,” Tikoduadua said.
The minister described the most recent incident as a real-time test of the RFMF’s security systems. “One good thing about the incident that happened is, it actually tested the effectiveness of the electronic systems that were there… to stop any of those attempts,” he said, indicating that technology played a role in detecting or preventing breaches. Tikoduadua added that any breach or attempt to breach an armoury or military magazine is treated as a serious offence and would be repelled “at any cost.”
While refusing to elaborate on the specifics of past attempts or the latest investigation, Tikoduadua told Parliament that authorities are reviewing current arrangements and strengthening security frameworks. He said work is progressing on a new Republic of Fiji Military Forces Defence Act, a legislative measure the government says will modernise the legal instruments governing military infrastructure and response mechanisms.
The minister’s admission has intensified political and public attention on how well Fiji protects its armaments and military sites. Opposition figures and concerned members of the public have pushed for greater transparency about how such attempts were identified and the changes planned to prevent recurrence, though Tikoduadua reiterated that some information must remain confidential while investigations proceed.
Authorities say vigilance and continued improvements to systems and procedures are critical. Tikoduadua’s comments make clear the government views the latest incident not only as a security breach to be investigated, but also as a catalyst for broader review and legal reform aimed at shoring up the RFMF’s defences. Investigations into the recent episode remain ongoing and further updates to Parliament are expected as inquiries conclude.