Fiji to deploy Australian military drones in the Pacific

The Fiji government has approved a security strategy involving the deployment of Australian military drones in the Pacific Ocean to combat drug trafficking and other illegal activities. These solar-powered unmanned vessels, capable of operating at sea for months, will begin patrolling Fijian waters starting next year under an agreement with Australia announced on October 16. Australia plans to supply the drones, known as Blue Bottle, along with training as part of a $600 million commitment aimed at countering organized crime in the region's maritime areas. The drones, manufactured in Sydney and powered by a solar mast and wind, have been used by the Australian military to monitor its vast northern coastline discreetly. The initiative follows reports of increased methamphetamine and cocaine trafficking through the Pacific. The drones are named after a small jellyfish species found along Australian shores. An Australian company called Ocius operates the fleet from a military base in Darwin and recently opened a new manufacturing facility in Sydney. The drones destined for Fiji are expected to be deployed in 2027. Fiji’s decision comes amid challenges faced by Pacific island nations in monitoring vast ocean territories against illegal fishing fleets from Asia and submarines transporting drugs from South America. Meanwhile, China has stepped up its presence in the Pacific, seeking to counterbalance traditional U.S. and Australian influence in the region. The Australian minister for Industry and Defence, Pat Conroy, stated that collaboration among regional countries was essential to eliminate illicit drug trade. “For the benefit of each country in the region, including ours, we must work together to eradicate the illegal drug trade,” he said during remarks in Sydney. The deployment of these drones aims to enhance maritime surveillance capabilities in an area where law enforcement faces logistical difficulties due to the vastness of the Pacific Ocean.