The Republic of Fiji Navy (RFN) bade farewell to three of its vessels — RFNS Kikau, RFNS Lautoka, and RFNS Levuka — which had steadfastly served the nation since 1987.
RFNS Kikau served for 28 years while RFNS Levuka and RFNS Lautoka served for 35 years.
The vessels played pivotal roles in search and rescue, surveillance, and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations all while protecting Fiji’s maritime borders for decades.
The event was marked by the presence of guests, including former crew of the patrol boats, who gathered to honour the vessels’ significant contributions to Fiji’s maritime security and well-being.
RFNS Kikau, set to embark on a new journey, will be proceeding to Australia early next year.
In its place, Fiji proudly announces the acquisition of a new and larger Guardian-class patrol boat, reinforcing the nation’s commitment to maintaining a robust and modern naval fleet.
The RFN says the legacy of RFNS Kikau, Lautoka, and Levuka will endure, as Fiji looks ahead to a new era of maritime capabilities with the state-of-the-art Guardian-class patrol boats, setting up forward operating bases, new terrestrial and satellite based sensors to monitor Fiji waters.
The new Maritime Essential Services Centre (MESC), to be commissioned in 2024, is also set to complement in modernising the Fiji Navy.
The transition underscores Fiji’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of its waters and the well-being of its citizens.
