FIJI and Australia are ramping up defence collaboration by deploying high-tech maritime capabilities to combat drug trafficking, illegal fishing, and transnational crime across the Pacific.
Speaking after a security briefing, Fiji’s Minister for Defence and Veteran Affairs Pio Tikoduadua highlighted how extending regional military capabilities directly protected local communities.
Central to this strategy is advanced maritime technology, including autonomous surveillance tools.
Mr Tikoduadua emphasised that these systems, including naval platforms and air capabilities, served broader civilian purposes by supplying vital intelligence to customs, police, and immigration agencies.
“They’re not only for military purposes, they’re actually to keep all our people safe.
“They’re not just there, you know, as decorations or anything. They’re actually there to keep our children and our families safe.”
Australian Minister for Defence Peter Khalil reinforced the multi-agency approach, explaining that defence forces played a vital role beyond conventional border protection.
“When we talk about the pointy end of the spear, which is our militaries and our collaboration, militaries defend nations, defend our borders, but it’s more than that,” he said.
“We’re defending our people against the social impacts, from drugs and drug use. We’re defending our economic interests against illegal fishing.”
