Fiji and Australia have reaffirmed their growing security partnership, committing to deeper defence cooperation and new treaty negotiations under their elevated Vuvale Partnership.
Fiji’s Minister for Defence and Veterans’ Affairs Pio Tikoduadua and Australia’s deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles met in Suva last Friday for the annual Fiji-Australia Defence Ministers’ Meeting, highlighting the close alignment between the two nations.
“Deep and enduring people-to-people links are integral to the success of our defence cooperation,” the ministers said in a joint statement. “Within our renewed and elevated Vuvale Partnership, we welcome the agreement by our Prime Ministers to commence negotiations to elevate our Vuvale Partnership to a treaty.”
The two leaders said the endorsement of the Blue Pacific Ocean of Peace Declaration at last month’s Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Meeting in Honiara demonstrates their “significant strategic alignment” and commitment to a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific.
They pledged to continue collaboration through the Defence Cooperation Program and the Pacific Maritime Security Programme, including training, infrastructure projects, and the Defence Pacific Air Program. Both sides will expand exchange officer programmes and instructor exchanges to further strengthen interoperability.
The ministers highlighted growing maritime security cooperation, including the opening of the Vuvale Maritime Essential Services Centre in Suva — a sovereign Fijian asset jointly developed with Australia.
“Our joint development of this facility is a tangible example of our shared commitment to combating maritime security challenges,” the statement said.
The partnership also extends to regional operations, with Fiji and Australia contributing to the Pacific Response Group and co-deploying with other Pacific militaries. Fiji’s participation in Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 and Exercise Coral Warrior 2025 was described as a “true partnership” between the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) and the Australian Defence Force (ADF).
Building on that momentum, Fiji will embed an RFMF Company with Australia’s 7th Brigade in 2026, marking a new phase in defence collaboration.
The two nations also reaffirmed their cooperation in peacekeeping, pledging to seek UN accreditation for training at Fiji’s Blackrock Peacekeeping and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Camp.
“Fiji has long made distinguished contributions to global peacekeeping efforts, and Australia has been proud to provide strategic airlift for Fiji’s brave women and men,” the ministers said.
Tikoduadua and Marles concluded by reaffirming their commitment to the strategic partnership and agreed to reconvene at the next Defence Ministers’ Meeting in 2026.
