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| Military of Fiji | |
|---|---|
| Name | Republic of Fiji Military Forces |
| Native name | Republic of Fiji Military Forces |
| Foundation | 1871 |
| Headquarters | Suva |
| Commander in chief | President of Fiji |
| Minister | Minister for Home Affairs |
| Commander | Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces |
| Active personnel | ~6,500 |
| Reserve | ~1,000 |
| History | History of Fiji; Fiji coups d'état |
Military of Fiji is the armed force responsible for the defence and security of the Republic of Fiji. It traces roots to colonial units raised during the Kingdom of Viti and the Colony of Fiji, evolving through service in the Second Boer War, World War I, and World War II to a post-independence role emphasizing regional stability and peacekeeping. The force operates under presidential and ministerial direction and has been a prominent contributor to multinational operations in the Pacific, Africa, and the Middle East.
Fiji’s armed formations originated with the Fiji Mounted Infantry and colonial volunteer corps in the 19th century, participating in the Siege of Mafeking and later sending contingents to the Western Front and the Gallipoli campaign. Following the establishment of the Dominion of New Zealand’s influence and the transfer of imperial responsibilities, Fijian soldiers served alongside units from Australia, United Kingdom, and New Zealand during World War II in the Solomon Islands campaign and the Guadalcanal Campaign. After independence in 1970, the Republic of Fiji established national forces that intervened in domestic politics during a series of events culminating in the Fiji coups d'état of 1987, 2000, and 2006. Post-coup periods saw restructurings, court challenges in the Supreme Court of Fiji, and reforms influenced by dialogues with Australia–Fiji relations, New Zealand–Fiji relations, and the Pacific Islands Forum. Fiji’s international profile expanded through deployments to United Nations peacekeeping missions including operations in East Timor, Bougainville, Solomon Islands, and UN missions in Lebanon and South Sudan.
The force is organised into land, naval, and support elements under the central command of the Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces headquartered in Suva. The land component includes infantry, reconnaissance, and engineer units with regimental traditions tied to the Fiji Infantry Regiment and successor battalions formed after independence. Maritime responsibilities are carried out by the Republic of Fiji Naval Service which cooperates with the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands and conducts maritime surveillance with assets interoperable with Australian Defence Force and Royal New Zealand Navy elements. A joint headquarters coordinates with the Fijian Ministry of Home Affairs and liaises with regional bodies such as the Pacific Islands Forum and international partners like the United Nations and European Union for peacekeeping contributions.
Personnel strength is drawn from Fiji’s diverse population including ethnic Fijians, Indo-Fijians, and minority communities, with recruitment of volunteers rather than mandatory conscription. Career pathways mirror systems found in the Australian Army and British Army with NCO development influenced by training exchanges with the New Zealand Army and secondments to the United Nations Interim Force and coalition frameworks. Specialized cadres include engineers with ties to the Army Cadet Corps programs, medical officers who have served with Médecins Sans Frontières-associated missions, and logistics personnel trained through partnerships with the Asian Development Bank and regional defence cooperation initiatives.
Land forces operate light armoured vehicles, patrol trucks, and infantry small arms compatible with standards used by the United Kingdom and Australia. The naval service fields patrol craft and landing craft capable of maritime interdiction, humanitarian assistance, and search and rescue in coordination with the Pacific Forum Fisheries Agency and AusAID-supported initiatives. Aviation support is provided by contracted rotary-wing assets and liaison with the Royal New Zealand Air Force for transport and medevac. Force protection, communication, and intelligence systems have been upgraded through procurement and donations involving the United States Pacific Command, Japan Self-Defense Forces assistance programs, and bilateral cooperation with the People's Republic of China and Republic of China (Taiwan) at different times.
Fijian units have a long history of expeditionary service, notably as part of UNPROFOR-type deployments and later UN missions including United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor, United Nations Mission in Liberia, United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei, and United Nations Mission in South Sudan. Regional responses include contributions to the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands and rapid support during natural disasters coordinated with World Food Programme and International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Fijian contingents have operated under multinational command structures alongside forces from Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and other Pacific states, receiving commendations such as the United Nations Medal.
Primary training facilities are located near Suva and at regional centers where exercises occur with the Australian Defence Force, New Zealand Defence Force, and Pacific partners under programs such as the PIF Defence Cooperation and the Pacific Islands Chiefs of Police interoperability initiatives. Military academies and NCO courses include curricula influenced by the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst model and exchange postings with the Officer Cadet School, Portsea historical program. Overseas training attachments have taken place in Singapore, India, United Kingdom, and United States institutions, while domestic ranges support live-fire, amphibious, and jungle warfare training relevant to Pacific littoral environments.
Fiji’s defence policy emphasizes sovereignty, regional stability, humanitarian assistance, and support for United Nations peace operations, articulated in white papers and policy documents debated in the Parliament of Fiji. Budgetary allocations have fluctuated with political cycles, economic performance tied to sectors like Tourism in Fiji and remittance inflows, and external assistance from partners including Australia, New Zealand, and multilateral donors. Procurement and capability development are influenced by bilateral memoranda with the United States Department of State and cooperative programs with the European Union and Japan, while fiscal oversight involves the Fiji Audit Office and the Ministry of Finance (Fiji).