The Fiji and Australian governments have signed a deal that formalises their cooperation in the redevelopment of Fiji's Blackrock military training centre.
The permanent secretary of Fiji's Ministry of Defence, Manasa Lesuma, with the assistant secretary of Australia's Department of Defence, Sue Bodell. Photo: Fiji Government
The aim of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) is to transform Blackrock into a regional hub for police and peacekeeping training and pre-deployment preparation.
In a joint statement, the countries said the redevelopment of Blackrock would enhance Fiji's capacity for global peacekeeping operations and its ability to respond to natural disasters in the region.
Blackrock will also be used to increase interoperability between the countries' security forces.
"We will continue to work together to finalise the design of the Camp and move into the construction phase," they said.
"Fiji and Australia's Defence partnership is integral to contributing to enhanced security capability in the Pacific region through training, maritime security, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and peacekeeping operations."