Navy Preps for Aust Exercise KAKADU
KAKADU IS THE NAVY’S PREMIER MARITIME EXERCISE, DEVELOPING INTEROPERABILITY
The 20 Republic of Fiji Military Forces navy sailors onboard the RFNS Kikau are now preparing for ‘Exercise KAKADU’.
Exercise KAKADU is a joint-enabled, biennial exercise hosted by the Royal Australian Navy and supported by the Royal Australian Air Force.
Exercise KAKADU participating nations include Australia, Canada, Fiji, France, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Timor Leste, Tonga, United States of America, and Vietnam.
KAKADU is the Navy’s premier maritime exercise, developing interoperability between nations in the maritime and air domains and providing training opportunities for maritime security and surveillance.
Chief of the Navy Captain (Navy) Humphrey Tawake said RFNS
Kikau was currently conducting boarding operations training in Cairns, Australia, with RAN Mobile Stu.
He said the operation was part of their preparation for Exercise KAKADU.
On the update of the naval vessels Capt (Navy) Tawake said the Republic of Fiji Navy Ship RFNS
Kikau was now in the hands of our navy after a significant restorative repair at the Norship shipyard in Cairns.
The sailors, he said, had flown to Australia and were attending a course before bringing back the RFNS Kikau.
They would also be taking part in the KAKADU Exercise. “They should be in Fiji by September.”
The arrival of the RFNS Kikau he said would be followed by the RFNS Kacau, donated by the People’s Republic of China.
He said by 2020 they would be receiving another new vessel from the Australian Government’s “Pacific Patrol Boat” programme.