For over five decades, the Republic of Fiji Navy has played a crucial role in safeguarding the nation’s territorial waters, while also contributing significantly to regional peacekeeping, disaster response and humanitarian missions.
Speaking at the Golden Jubilee celebration of the Republic of Fiji Navy at Walu Bay, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka paid tribute to the Navy’s enduring legacy since its establishment in 1975.
Rabuka says the 50th anniversary describes the Navy as a modern, professional force that reflects Fiji’s identity as a proud maritime nation.
The Prime Minister says he looks back with pride at the bravery and dedication of those who defended Fiji’s sovereignty during times of crisis.
He honoured the men and women who navigated both literal and political storms to uphold democracy, the rule of law and regional solidarity.
Rabuka says the Navy stands as a guardian of our maritime domain—protecting an archipelago of more than 330 islands and overseeing an exclusive economic zone of over 1.3 million square kilometres.
He adds that the Navy is more than a line of defence—it is a vital force for diplomacy, development, disaster resilience and recovery.
