14 Bushmasters bound for Fiji

Prime Minister of Fiji Sitiveni Rabuka visited Gallipoli Barracks in Queensland to view Thales Bushmaster armoured vehicles following the Pacific nation’s decision to buy an additional 14 of the vehicles.

There Rabuka viewed Australian-made Bushmasters in action as part of training exercises between Australian and Fijian Defence Force personnel.

The sale was announced as part of $68 million in aid announced for Fiji as part of an elevated new partnership agreement.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the aid payment would help Fiji with economic recovery from Covid-19 lockdowns.

The additional Bushmasters will facilitate Fijian deployments to peacekeeping operations around the world.

Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy said: “Australia and Fiji are natural friends and close security partners, and in that spirit, I am extremely honoured to welcome Prime Minister Rabuka to Gallipoli Barracks today.

“We are proud to continue to support Fiji’s global peacekeeping contributions by providing additional Bushmasters to Fiji.”

Picture: Thales/Pat Conroy with Bushmaster at Thales Bendigo