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Fiji hosts Pacific naval exercises
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Posted on Jun 10 2005
PORT VILA, Vanuatu (Port Villa Presse, PIR)—The RVS Tukoro last week joined navy ships from the region in an unprecedented deployment of regional naval forces in Fiji’s waters for the multilateral exercise dubbed Kurukuru 2005.
Taking part are navy ships from Fiji, Australia, New Zealand, France (through its New Caledonia base), Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu’s RVS Tukoro.
Oceania Flash reports the main objective of the joint maneuvers is to test in quasi-real life conditions, the ability of regional forces to effectively monitor this region’s economic zones and operate together.
New Caledonia-based French navy patrol boat La Moqueuse (often visiting Vanuatu in times of natural disasters and for normal surveillance patrols) is taking part, with a French Falcon Jet surveillance aircraft.
A total of 150 Vanuatu crewmembers are involved.
The first part of the exercise last week occurred close to Suva, while from 5-8 June there will be maneuvers at sea under joint command in Suva, according to French army officials.
Fiji Military Force spokesman Captain Neumi Leweni told the daily Fiji Times that it would be the largest maritime exercise hosted by a South Pacific nation.
“The patrol boats of the participating nations will conduct a programmed series of exercises, which will gradually increase in complexity, placing greater demands on the ships’ company,” Leweni said.
Kurukuru is coordinated by Australian Lieutenant Brad Bower and Lieutenant Commander Mike Gough.
Also on joint maritime surveillance, in April, France, Australia and New Zealand forces held a meeting in New Zealand to build on their existing “FRANZ” tripartite agreement (originally designed in 1992 to bring relief to natural disaster-struck neighboring island countries) and design a surveillance version of the pact to improve the central and western Pacific region’s maritime surveillance systems. The April meeting was also attended by a Pacific islands Forum Fisheries Agency official.
The RVS Tukoro and crewmembers are expected back to the country at the weekend.
