Editing Republic of Fiji Military Forces

{{short description|Combined military forces of Fiji}}
{{EngvarB|date=July 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2022}}
{{Infobox national military
| name               = Republic of Fiji Military Forces 
| native_name        = {{ubl|{{native name|fj|Mataivalu ni Republic of Viti}}|{{native name|hif|फ़िजी गणराज्य के सैन्य बल}}}}
| image              = RFMF New.png
| alt                = 
| caption            = Cap Badge of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces
| image2             = 
| alt2               = 
| caption2           = 
| motto              = 
| founded            = 1940
| current_form       = 2013
| disbanded          = 
| branches           = {{ubl|[[Fiji Infantry Regiment]]|[[Republic of Fiji Navy|Fiji Navy]]}}
| headquarters       = [[Suva]]
| website            = {{URL|rfmf.mil.fj}}
<!-- Leadership -->
| commander-in-chief = Ratu [[Naiqama Lalabalavu]]
| commander-in-chief_title = [[President of Fiji|Commander-in-chief]]
| chief minister     = [[Sitiveni Rabuka]]
| chief minister_title = [[Prime Minister of Fiji|Prime Minister]]
| minister           = [[Pio Tikoduadua]]
| minister_title     = Minister for Home Affairs and Immigration
| commander          = [[Major General]] [[Jone Kalouniwai]]
| commander_title    = [[Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces|Commander RFMF]]
<!-- Manpower -->
| age                = 
| conscription       = No
| manpower_data      = 2021 est.
| manpower_age       = 18–49
| available          = 215,104
| available_f        = 212,739
| fit                = 163,960
| fit_f              = 178,714
| reaching           = 9,266
| reaching_f         = 8,916
| active             = 6,500<ref name="auto">IISS: The Military Balance 2022</ref>
| ranked             = 
| reserve            = Approx 6,200
| deployed           = 541<ref name="auto"/>
<!-- Financial -->
| amount          =US $50.1 million (2022)<ref name="auto"/>
| percent_GDP        = 1.23%
<!-- Industrial -->
| domestic_suppliers = 
| foreign_suppliers  = 
| imports            = 
| exports            = 
<!-- Related articles -->
| history            = 
| ranks              = [[Ranks of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces|Military ranks of Fiji]]
}}

[[File:Fiji Military.png|thumb|280px|{{center|Structure of the military of Fiji}}]]

The '''Republic of Fiji Military Forces''' ('''RFMF''', formerly the '''Royal Fiji Military Forces''' until 1987 when the [[Dominion of Fiji]] was overthrown<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=grRPAQAAIAAJ&q=%22Royal+Fiji+Military+Forces%22 ''Fiji: Report''], Ministry of Information, 1971, page 93</ref>) is the military force of the [[Pacific Ocean|Pacific]] island nation of [[Fiji]]. With a total manpower of about 6,500 active soldiers and approximately 6,200 reservists, it is one of the smallest [[military|militaries]] in the world and the third largest in the South Pacific region. The Ground Force is organised into six infantry and one engineer battalions.

The first two regular battalions of the [[Fiji Infantry Regiment]] are traditionally stationed overseas on [[peacekeeping]] duties; the 1st Battalion has been posted to [[Lebanon]], [[Iraq]], [[Syria]], and [[East Timor]] under the command of the UN, while the 2nd Battalion is stationed in [[Sinai Peninsula|Sinai]] with the [[Multinational Force and Observers|MFO]]. Peacekeepers income represents an important source of income for Fiji. The 3rd Battalion is stationed in the capital, [[Suva]], and the remaining three are spread throughout the islands.

== Organisation ==

* '''Commander-in-Chief''' – The [[President of Fiji|President of the Republic]] is ex officio Commander-in-Chief of the Military Forces.
* '''Commander RFMF''' – The Commander RFMF is of [[two-star rank]]. He is assisted by the Deputy Commander and the Chief of Staff, who are responsible for Strategic Command and Land Force Command. The current Commander is [[Major General]] [[Jone Kalouniwai]] who was preceded by [[Rear Admiral]] [[Viliame Naupoto]] who was appointed following the resignation of [[Brigadier]] [[Mosese Tikoitoga]] on 2 August 2015.<ref name="fijitimes.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=316206|title=Commander resigns – Fiji Times Online|website=fijitimes.com|access-date=28 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170801035446/http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=316206|archive-date=1 August 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=261888 |title=By the book |publisher=Fiji Times Online |first=Tevita |last=Vuibau |date=6 March 2014 |access-date=8 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140307193942/http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=261888 |archive-date=7 March 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Tikoitoga succeeded the previous Commander and former Head of Government [[Commodore (rank)|Commodore]] [[Frank Bainimarama|Voreqe (Frank) Bainimarama]] after fifteen years of service as Commander and a total of thirty-nine years of active military service.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=261889 |title=Military pays tribute to 'David' |first=Tevita |last=Vuibau |publisher=Fiji Times Online |date=6 March 2014 |access-date=8 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140307193928/http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=261889 |archive-date=7 March 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
** '''Strategic Command''' – Strategic Command is responsible for all of the long term and strategic concerns of the RFMF, including welfare, legal issues, sustainability issues etc.
** '''Land Force Command''' – Land Force Command is the operational organisation of the RFMF, and is responsible for all of the main units:
*** HQ Land Force Commander [[Lieutenant Colonel]] [[Jone Kalouniwai]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.islandsbusiness.com/news/fiji/4803/kalouniwai-is-fijis-military-landforce-commander/ |title=Kalouniwai is Fiji's Military Land Force Commander |publisher=Islands Business |date=6 March 2014 |access-date=8 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140307035840/http://www.islandsbusiness.com/news/fiji/4803/kalouniwai-is-fijis-military-landforce-commander/ |archive-date=7 March 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>
*** Naval Unit
*** [[Fiji Infantry Regiment]]
**** Regular Force
***** 1st Battalion
***** 2nd Battalion
***** 3rd Battalion
**** Territorial Force
***** 4th Battalion
***** 5th Battalion
***** 7th/8th Battalion
*** Fiji Engineer Regiment
*** Logistic Support Unit
*** Force Training Group
*** Presidential Palace Guards 
*** [[Fiji Military Forces Band]]

=== Equipment ===

* [[M45A1]]
* [[Uzi]]
* [[AK-101]]<ref name="altair.pl">{{cite web |url=http://www.altair.com.pl/news/view?news_id=18730 |title=:: Rosyjska broń dla Fidżi |publisher=altair.pl |language=pl |access-date=21 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304183249/http://www.altair.com.pl/news/view?news_id=18730 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* [[RPK|RPK-201]]<ref name="altair.pl" />
* [[M4 carbine]] standard issue<ref>{{Cite web |title=Republic of Fiji Military Forces |url=https://www.facebook.com/RfmfMedia/posts/pfbid094tRPSa9xNdzKNZWxzQPbP6MrPL1Q2diqiRXb1NK5NTiBdxEZ3Qq1TdRgwZbNzYil |access-date=2023-04-26 |website=www.facebook.com |language=en}}</ref>
* [[PK machine gun|PKM]]<ref name="altair.pl" />
* [[RPG-7]]W<ref name="altair.pl" />
* [[RPO-A]]<ref name="altair.pl" />
* [[M16A2 rifle]]
* [[Daewoo K2]] rifle<ref name=usmc2016-07-14/>
* [[CAR-15]] carbine
* [[Pindad SPR|Pindad SPR-2]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Orang AS dan Australia Tak Percaya RI Bisa Buat Senjata Canggih Ini |url=https://finance.detik.com/industri/d-2716193/orang-as-dan-australia-tak-percaya-ri-bisa-buat-senjata-canggih-ini |access-date=2023-03-26 |website=detikfinance |language=id-ID}}</ref>
* 6 x 105&nbsp;mm [[KH178 howitzer]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://fijisun.com.fj/2014/10/01/guns-for-fiji/|title=Guns For Fiji – Fiji Sun|website=fijisun.com.fj|access-date=12 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180313215558/http://fijisun.com.fj/2014/10/01/guns-for-fiji/|archive-date=13 March 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* 12 x [[L16 81mm mortar|mortar F2 (L16)]] 81&nbsp;mm<ref>Asia Pacific Defence Reporter 2006 Source Book</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Leigh |last=Ingram-Seal |url=http://orbat.com/site/history/open_vol2/Fiji.pdf |title=Republic of Fiji Military Forces |publisher=Orbat.com |access-date=8 March 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140308163249/http://orbat.com/site/history/open_vol2/Fiji.pdf |archive-date=8 March 2014 }}</ref>
* [[Daewoo K3]] light machine gun
* [[M60 Machine Gun]]
* [[Bush Master LAH]] – * Mobile Mechanical Workshop – on [[Ural-4320]] chassis<ref>{{cite web|url=http://fijisun.com.fj/2016/01/16/next-up-arms-training/|title=Next up…Arms Training – Fiji Sun|website=fijisun.com.fj|access-date=12 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161018193315/http://fijisun.com.fj/2016/01/16/next-up-arms-training/|archive-date=18 October 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* 24 x refurbished [[Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle]]<ref>{{cite press release |author1=Minister for Defence Marise Payne |title=Bushmaster sale another boost to Fiji-Australia defence partnership |url=https://www.minister.defence.gov.au/minister/marise-payne/media-releases/bushmaster-sale-another-boost-fiji-australia-defence |access-date=27 July 2018 |publisher=Department of Defence |date=9 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180728035657/https://www.minister.defence.gov.au/minister/marise-payne/media-releases/bushmaster-sale-another-boost-fiji-australia-defence |archive-date=28 July 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Vakasukawaqa |first1=Arieta |title=Bushmasters For Our Troops |url=http://fijisun.com.fj/2017/02/10/bushmasters-for-our-troops/ |access-date=27 July 2018 |work=Fiji Sun |date=10 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180728041537/http://fijisun.com.fj/2017/02/10/bushmasters-for-our-troops/ |archive-date=28 July 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Manager |first=Ritika Pratap Deputy News |title=Fiji receives 14 Bushmasters from Australia |url=https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/fiji-receives-14-bushmasters-from-australia/ |access-date=2023-10-22 |website=Fiji Broadcasting Corporation}}</ref>

==Fiji Infantry Regiment==

The [[Fiji Infantry Regiment]] is the main combat element of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces. The regiment was formed with the foundation of the Fijian armed forces in 1920. The regiment, as it is today, goes back to 1978 following Fiji's independence.

== Fijian Navy ==

[[File:Naval Ensign of Fiji.svg|thumb|upright|Fijian naval ensign]]

The [[Republic of Fiji Navy]] was formed in 1975, following the government's ratification of the [[United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea|United Nations Law of the Sea]] convention.  The Navy is responsible for maritime needs in border control, such as watching over Fiji's exclusive economic zone and organising task and rescue missions.  It currently operates 9 patrol boats. Military aid is received from Australia, the People's Republic of China, and the United Kingdom (although the latter has suspended aid as a result of the [[2006 Fijian coup d'état|2006 military coup]] against the civilian government).

Speaking at 30th anniversary celebrations on 26 July 2006, Commander [[Bradley Bower]] said that the greatest challenge facing the navy of a maritime country like Fiji was to maintain sovereignty and the maritime environment, to acquire, restore, and replace equipment, and to train officers to keep pace with changing situations.

In January 2019 five of Fiji's naval vessels were operational.<ref name=fbcnews2019-01-28/> In 2020, Australia provided two new {{sclass2|Guardian|patrol vessel|1}}s to replace the three vessels it provided over thirty years ago  In December 2019, Fiji took delivery of {{RFNS|Volasiga}}, boosting the number of operational vessels to six.<ref name=fbcnews2019-12-07/> The [[Guardian-class patrol boat]] {{RFNS|Savenaca}} was officially handed over to Fijian officials, in [[Henderson, Australia]], on 6 March 2020.<ref name=themarketherald2020-03-06/><ref name=FijiSun2020-03-07/><ref name=shephardmedia2020-03-06/>

[[Northern Air]] operates search and rescue flights for the Navy. <ref>{{Cite web |title=Rescue Coordination Center Fiji |url=https://www.facebook.com/RCCFiji/posts/pfbid0cq5F4FenMyJbzUkjguQNXJ98ynDM8SgNY8WG2G71aZyLXQE4B3pg4FEpgouuY71Xl |access-date=2022-09-30 |website=www.facebook.com |language=en}}</ref>

===Equipment===

[[File:Dabur881.JPG|thumb|Dabur-class patrol boat (Israeli boat ''No. 881'')]]

[[File:RSIPV Lata.jpg|thumb|Pacific-class patrol boat (Solomon Island police boat RSIPV ''Lata'')]]3 x {{sclass2|Pacific|patrol boat|1}} (Australia, displacement 162 t, length {{convert|31.5|m|ftin}}, width {{convert|8.1|m|ftin}} draught {{convert|1.8|m|ftin}}, power 2 x {{convert|1050|kW|shp}}, maximal speed {{convert|20|knot|kph|lk=in}}, crew 17-man, armament machine guns 1 x 12.7&nbsp;mm). These boats replaced discharged {{sclass|Redwing|minesweeper|1}}s FNS ''Kula'', ''Kikau'' and ''Kiro'', gained 1975 – 1976 from the [[United States Navy]].
* {{RFNS|Kula|201}} (May 1994)
* {{RFNS|Kikau|202}} (May 1995)
* {{RFNS|Kiro|203}} (October 1995)
2 patrol boat (US, displacement 97 t, crew 11-man, armament machine guns 1 x 12.7&nbsp;mm)
* {{RFNS|Levouka|101}} (1987)
* {{RFNS|Lautoka|102}} (1987)
4 {{sclass2|Dabur|patrol boat|1}} (Israel, displacement 39 t, crew 9-man, armament 2 x cannon 20&nbsp;mm, 2 x machine guns 7.62&nbsp;mm)
* {{RFNS|Vai|301}} (1991)
* {{RFNS|Ogo|302}} (1991)
* {{RFNS|Saku|303}} (1991)
* {{RFNS|Saqa|304}} (1991)
2 Oceanic survey vessels
* {{RFNS|Volasiga}}
* {{RFNS|Kacau}}

== Rank insignia ==

Rank designation based on the British tradition.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.uniforminsignia.org/?option=com_insigniasearch&Itemid=53&result=1202 |title=Fiji Rank Insignia – Army Land Forces |publisher=The International Encyclopedia of Uniform Insignia |access-date=8 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130729082749/http://www.uniforminsignia.org/?option=com_insigniasearch&Itemid=53&result=1202 |archive-date=29 July 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://uniforminsignia.org/?itemid=53&option=com_insigniasearch&result=2353 |title=Fiji Rank Insignia – Navy and Coast Guard |publisher=The International Encyclopedia of Uniform Insignia |access-date=8 March 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160313112120/http://uniforminsignia.org/?itemid=53&option=com_insigniasearch&result=2353 |archive-date=13 March 2016 }}</ref>

===Commissioned officers===

The rank insignia for commissioned officers for the army and navy respectively. They are based on the rank structure of the [[Royal Navy]] and [[British Army]].
{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armed Forces/OF/Blank}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armies/OF/Fiji}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Navies/OF/Fiji}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armed Forces/OF/Blank}}
|}

===Enlisted===

The rank insignia for enlisted personnel for the army and navy respectively. They are based on the ranks of the [[Royal Navy]] and [[British Army]]. 
{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armies/OR/Blank}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armies/OR/Fiji}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Navies/OR/Fiji}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Air Forces/OR/Blank}}
|}

==History==

=== Political intervention ===

Fiji's military has a history of political intervention.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jewishideasdaily.com/4867/features/how-the-sinai-peacekeeping-force-staged-a-military-coup-in-fiji/ |title=How the Sinai Peacekeeping Force Staged a Military Coup in Fiji |first=Diana Muir |last=Appelbaum |publisher=Jewish Ideas Daily |date=27 August 2012 |access-date=8 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160110122829/http://www.jewishideasdaily.com/4867/features/how-the-sinai-peacekeeping-force-staged-a-military-coup-in-fiji/ |archive-date=10 January 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1987, soldiers were responsible for [[1987 Fijian coups d'état|two military coups]], and in 2000, the military organised a countercoup to quash [[George Speight]]'s [[2000 Fijian coup d'état|civilian coup]].  Since 2000, the military has had a sometimes tense relationship with the [[Laisenia Qarase|Qarase]] government, and [[Military opposition to the Reconciliation, Tolerance, and Unity Bill|has strongly opposed its plans]] to establish a [[Reconciliation, Tolerance, and Unity Bill|Commission]] with the power to compensate victims and pardon perpetrators of the coup.  Among other objections, the military claims that its integrity and discipline would be undermined if soldiers who [[Mutinies of the 2000 Fijian coup d'état|mutinied]] in the 2000 upheaval were to be pardoned.

On 4 August 2005, [[Leader of the Opposition (Fiji)|Opposition Leader]] [[Mahendra Chaudhry]] called for more [[Indians in Fiji|Indo-Fijians]], who presently comprise less than one percent of the military personnel, to be recruited. (Specifically, as of October 2007, Fiji's military had 3527 full-time members, of whom only 15 were Indo-Fijians.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/rumblings-of-a-revolution/2007/10/26/1192941338637.html |title=Rumblings of a revolution |first=Hamish |last=McDonald |newspaper=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |date=27 October 2007 |access-date=8 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090609102227/http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/rumblings-of-a-revolution/2007/10/26/1192941338637.html |archive-date=9 June 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref>) This would help guarantee political stability, he considered.  He also spoke against government plans to downsize the military.  Military spokesman [[Lieutenant Colonel]] [[Orisi Rabukawaqa]] responded the next day by saying that the military was not an ethnic Fijian body, that it stood to serve the entire nation, and that there was no colour bar in its recruitment or promotion.  He said that many Indo-Fijians had been reluctant to commit themselves to a military career because of the slow progress of promotion, often preferring to be discharged and to use their record as a stepping stone to a successful career in some other field.  Nevertheless, he appreciated the Indo-Fijian contribution to the military, and noted the success of Lieutenant Colonel Mohammed Aziz, the head of the military's legal unit who was a pivotal figure in the [[court martial]] of soldiers who mutinied in 2000. Ironically the rate of promotion of indigenous Fijian officers had been very rapid after the 1987 coup, and subsequent expansion of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces.

On 26 August 2005, the government announced plans to study ways to reduce the size of the military.  Military engineers would be transferred to the Regional Development Ministry, said Home Affairs Minister [[Josefa Vosanibola]], and the reduction of the military forces would coincide with an increase in the numbers of the police force.

On 26 September 2005, Rabukawaqa revealed that the military had decided to curtail certain operations to stay within its budget.  The cuts would affect maritime patrols, search and rescue operations, training and exercises, School Cadet training, and the deployment of military engineers to rural areas.  These cuts would be made to ensure that activities accorded a higher priority, such as peacekeeping operations in the [[Sinai Peninsula]] and Iraq, officer cadet training with the [[Military of New Zealand|New Zealand Defence Forces]], and the prosecution of soldiers charged with mutiny, would not be affected, Rabukawaqa said.

The next day, [[Lesi Korovavala]], chief executive officer of the Ministry of Home Affairs, told the Fiji Village news service that the military had undertaken the reductions on its own initiative, in consultation with the department, an explanation corroborated by Lieutenant Colonel Rabukawaqa.

On 5 December 2006, the Fijian army staged a [[2006 Fijian coup d'état|third coup d'état]]. On 7 February 2008, the head of the RFMF and post-coup interim Prime Minister [[Frank Bainimarama|Voreqe Bainimarama]] stated: "Qarase [...] does not understand the role of the Military and as such is misinforming the nation. [...] [I]f there are practices and policies which have potential to undermine the national security and territorial integrity of Fiji, the RFMF has every right under the Constitution to intervene."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=80679 |title=Qarase wrong about military: Bainimarama |work=[[Fiji Times]] |date=7 February 2008 |access-date=8 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140307043710/http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=80679 |archive-date=7 March 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In August 2009, with Bainimarama still controlling the government as prime minister and the constitution abrogated, [[Epeli Nailatikau]], a former military commander, was appointed acting president on the retirement of Iloilo.

===Operations===

Fiji committed troops to the [[United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq]].<ref name=fbcnews2020-03-17/> Australia agreed to transport those troops.<ref name=miragenews2020-03-17/>

Fiji sent 54 individuals to Australia, to help fight wildfires there.<ref name=miragenews2020-03-17/>

=== Fiji Air Wing ===

The [[Air Wing of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces]], founded in 1987, had a base at the airport in Nausori, but was abolished in 1997. Yehonatan Shimʻon Frenḳel writes that the "Air Wing was formed after the 1987 coup, when the French provided two helicopters as part of its military aid package."<ref>{{Cite book |first=Yehonatan Shimʻon |last=Frenḳel |title=From Election to Coup in Fiji: The 2006 Campaign and Its Aftermath |publisher=ANU E Press |year=2007 |isbn=978-0731538126 |page=29}}</ref> Frenkel goes on to say that the air wing was disbanded after both helicopters crashed and after subsequent revelations of huge debts incurred as a result of the aircraft.

==== Aircraft ====

The two helicopters were:
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!Aircraft type
!Variants
!Origin
!Role
!Service period
!Notes
|-
|[[Eurocopter Dauphin|Eurocopter AS 365N2 Dauphin 2]] || AS 365N2 Dauphin || {{flag|France}} || Transport and liaison helicopter ||1989–1994 || One helicopter. Matriculation marker DQ-FGD. 
|-
|[[Eurocopter AS355|Aerospatiale AS 355F-2 Twin Squirrel]] || AS 355F-2 Twin Squirrel || {{flag|France}} || Transport and liaison helicopter || 1991–1997 ||One helicopter. Matriculation marker DQ-FGH.
|}
Helicopter AS-365 N2 Dauphin crashed off the coast of the main island in July 1994; a smaller AS-355F-2 continued in service until mid-1997 and in 1999 was sold to France.

The Air Wing did not have its own roundel or ensign and its only marking was the [[Flag of Fiji|national flag]] used as a [[fin flash]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/fj%5E.html|title=Military Flags (Fiji)|website=crwflags.com|access-date=28 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160326045819/http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/fj%5E.html|archive-date=26 March 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Facilities==

* [[Queen Elizabeth Barracks, Suva|Queen Elizabeth Barracks]], Suva
* Walu Bay Naval Base – Located at Narain Jetty in Suva Bay and to be relocated outside of Suva<ref>{{cite web|url=http://fijisun.com.fj/2015/02/11/new-navy-base-outside-suva/|title=New Navy Base 'Outside Suva' – Fiji Sun|website=fijisun.com.fj|access-date=12 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161018193312/http://fijisun.com.fj/2015/02/11/new-navy-base-outside-suva/|archive-date=18 October 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==See also==

* [[Military–church relations in Fiji]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==

{{reflist|refs=
<ref name=usmc2016-07-14>
{{cite news     
| url         = https://www.marines.mil/Photos/?igphoto=2001577417
| title       = TASK FORCE KOA MOANA: LIV...
| work        = [[USMC]]
| author      = William Hester
| date        = 2016-07-14
| location    = [[Ovalau, Fiji]]
| access-date  = 2020-03-16
| quote       = A Fijian Soldier fires a Daewoo K2 rifle during live fire training, July 12, 2016, at Ovalau, Fiji, as part of a multi-national, bilateral exercise between Fiji and the U.S.
}}
</ref>

<ref name=miragenews2020-03-17>
{{cite news     
| url         = https://www.miragenews.com/australian-defence-force-supports-fijian-missions-in-middle-east/
| title       = Australian Defence Force supports Fijian missions in Middle East
| work        = [[Mirage News]]
| date        = 2020-03-17
| access-date  = 2020-03-16
| quote       = {{'}}Fiji’s recent contribution of 54 personnel to Australia’s response to the bushfire emergency was a welcome and powerful example of the importance of maintaining close ties between our nations.{{'}}
}}
</ref>

<ref name=fbcnews2020-03-17>
{{cite news     
| url         = https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/australian-defence-force-supports-fijian-missions-in-middle-east/
| title       = Australian Defence Force supports Fijian missions in Middle East
| work        = [[FBC News]]
| date        = 2020-03-17
| access-date  = 2020-03-16
| quote       = A RAAF KC-30 carrying 170 soldiers from the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) has departed for Sinai to support their ongoing peacekeeping mission with the Multinational Force and Observers.
}}
</ref>

<ref name=themarketherald2020-03-06>
{{cite news     
| url         = https://themarketherald.com.au/austal-asxasb-delivers-6th-guardian-class-patrol-boat-to-fiji-navy-2020-03-06/
| title       = Austal (ASX:ASB) delivers 6th guardian-class patrol boat to Fiji Navy
| work        = [[The Market Herald]]
| author      = Lisa Simcock
| date        = 2020-03-06
| access-date  = 2020-03-07
| quote       = Chief Executive David Singleton said the first Guardian-class Patrol Boat delivery for 2020 showed it is keeping with its goal of delivering a new naval vessel every 3 months.
}}
</ref>

<ref name=FijiSun2020-03-07>
{{cite news     
| url         = https://fijisun.com.fj/2020/03/07/pm-delegation-receive-our-new-navy-vessel/
| title       = PM, Delegation Receive Our New Navy Vessel
| work        = [[Fiji Sun]]
| author      = Rosi Doviverata
| date        = 2020-03-07
| access-date  = 2020-03-07
| quote       = Mr Bainimarama said the new vessel could not enter the ranks of Fiji's Navy at a more pressing time. "International criminal networks are hitting the Pacific hard – particularly with the drug trade."
}}
</ref>

<ref name=shephardmedia2020-03-06>
{{cite news     
| url         = https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/naval-warfare/australia-gifts-guardian-class-patrol-vessel-fiji/
| title       = Australia gifts Guardian-class patrol vessel to Fiji
| work        = [[Shephard Media]]
| date        = 2020-03-06
| access-date  = 2020-03-07
| quote       = Austal CEO David Singleton said: 'the Pacific Boat Replacement Project [PPB-R] has really hit its stride, with this sixth Guardian-class Patrol Boat benefiting from a number of innovative production processes that have reduced production time, while maintaining quality.'
}}
</ref>

<ref name=fbcnews2019-12-07>
{{cite news     
| url         = https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/maritime/eez-surveillance-capabilities-boosted-commander-natuva/
| title       = EEZ surveillance capabilities boosted: Commander Natuva
| work        = [[Fiji Broadcasting Corporation]]
| author      = Maggie Boyle
| date        = 2019-12-07
| archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20191207014509/https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/maritime/eez-surveillance-capabilities-boosted-commander-natuva/
| archive-date = 2019-12-07
| access-date  = 2019-12-06
| url-status  = live
| quote       = Only two years ago, the Fiji Navy had to rely on other foreign vessels to assist them with border surveillance with only one ship in operation. Fast forward two years and there are six vessels in operation.
}}
</ref>

<ref name=fbcnews2019-01-28>
{{cite news
 |url         = https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/australian-assistance-to-boost-navy-fleet-captain-tawake/
 |title       = Australian assistance to boost Navy fleet: Captain Tawake
 |work        = [[Fiji Broadcasting Corporation]]
 |author      = Maggie Boyle
 |date        = 2019-01-28
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20190130110408/https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/australian-assistance-to-boost-navy-fleet-captain-tawake/
 |archive-date = 30 January 2019
 |access-date  = 2019-01-30
 |url-status     = live
 |quote       = Meanwhile, there are currently five vessels that oversee the monitoring and surveillance of Fiji’s Exclusive Economic Zone which the Navy is responsible for.
}}
</ref>
}}
* {{cite web |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/fiji/ |title=The World Fact Book – Fiji |access-date=20 September 2007 |author=Central Intelligence Agency |date=6 September 2007 }}
* {{cite book |last=[[The International Institute for Strategic Studies]] (IISS) |title=The Military Balance 2007 |year=2007 |publisher=Routledge Journals |location=[[Abingdon-on-Thames|Abingdon]] |isbn=978-1-85743-437-8 }}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20160304103719/http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=281772 New artillery guns to replace old weapons – Fiji Times Online]  (purchase of 105&nbsp;mm howitzers replacing the pounders)

==External links==

* [https://www.rfmf.mil.fj/ Official RFMF website]

{{Fiji topics}}
{{Military of Oceania}}

[[Category:Military of Fiji| ]]
[[Category:Armies by country|Fiji]]
[[Category:Military in Oceania|Fiji]]
[[Category:National air wings|Fiji]]
[[Category:Navies by country|Fiji]]