𝗣𝗠𝗩𝘀 𝗛𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄𝘀 𝗥𝗼𝗯𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀

The official handover of Republic of Fiji Military Forces 14 Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicles (PMVs) was held on Saturday 27th July, 2024, at Black Rock Camp in Nadi. The event, as mentioned by the Fiji PM Honourable (Hon) Sitiveni Rabuka, underscores the strong defence and security relations between Fiji and Australia.

“Vuvale means family in Vanua o Viti and so the partnership recognizes our respect for each other. . . The partnership between Fiji and Australia witnessed today has significantly strengthened our enduring and robust relations in the realm of defence and security.” Hon. Rabuka said.

Hon. Rabuka said that the handover of the 14 PMVs will ensure the safety of Fijian peacekeepers, meet UN deployment requirements, and facilitate the preparation of a new Fijian Deployable UN Standby Company at the RFMF Joint Task Force Command at Black Rock Camp. He also mentioned that Fiji will continue to support global peace and security as it has done over the years.

In addition to this, His Excellency Ewen Macdonald, the Australian High Commissioner and Special Envoy for Pacific and Regional Affairs, underscores the vuvale connection that sees the two countries collaborate to support each other.

“Vuvale family captures our familial historical and cultural connections. It’s a connection between our countries that sees us support one another in times of need, and I still recall and appreciate your support during the Black Summer bushfires in Australia in 2020. We serve, work, and train side by side. Those people-to-people links working alongside one another are the foundations of our partnership that we lean on to support each other in times of need.” H.E. McDonald said.

The inclusion of the PMV Bushmasters marks a pivotal advancement in the RFMF’s ongoing efforts to strengthen not only its support for global peace but also for its role in humanitarian disaster assistance relief operations, particularly during disaster response operations in the country.