Kikau heads for Exercise KAKADU

RFNS Kikau sailors are now heading to Darwin to take part in the Australian Navy’s largest exercise, Exercise KAKADU.

The crew of the vessel, which just completed a refit in Darwin, spent three days with the Australian Navy’s Defence Co-operation Programme Sea Training Unit (DCP STU)

Fiji Navy Fleet Operations Officer Lieutenant Commander Timoci Natuva said the officers and sailors of the RFNS Kikau had completed their attachment at HMAS Cairns. “They are leaving HMAS Cairns to be part of Exercise KAKADU 2018, which will take place in Darwin and in northern Australia from August 30 to September 15,” he said. A report from the Australia Defence Force said a total of more than 2000 military personnel from 27 nations will be part of the exercise.

LCDR Natuva said after Exercise Kakadu 2018, the RFNS Kikau would leave straight to Fiji. RFNS Kikau’s Commanding Officer is Lieutenant Commander (LCDR) Joseva Tunidau. Meanwhile, the Navy is awaiting the arrival of a new boat, RFNS Kacau, before the end of the year.