Minister of Police acknowledges the Australian Govt for donating two Naiad vessel to RSIPF

Minister of the Ministry of Police, National Security and Correctional Services Hon. John Junior Tuhaika acknowledged the Australian Government as he witnessed the handing over ceremony of two Naiad vessels funded by the Australian Government through the Australian Federal Police (AFP) to the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) in Honiara today (13 August 2026.)

Minister Tuhaika said, “Today’s ceremony is an important occasion for the Solomon Islands Government and the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force.”

More importantly, it reflects the enduring partnership between the Solomon Islands and Australia and our shared commitment to strengthening security, stability and prosperity across our region.

For Solomon Islands, maritime security is fundamentally a matter of national security. As a nation of islands, our people, communities and economic activities are intrinsically connected to the ocean.

These assets will strengthen our capacity for law enforcement, maritime safety, search and rescue, emergency response, and efforts to prevent and respond to transnational serious and organised crime.

More broadly, strengthening our maritime capability enhances Solomon Islands’ ability to protect our national interests and contribute meaningfully to the security and resilience of our shared Pacific neighbourhood.

It represents an investment in the capability, confidence and resilience of our national institutions and in our collective ability to respond to the evolving security challenges of our region.

The police minister said, “On behalf of the Solomon Islands Government, I express our deep appreciation to the Government of Australia through the Australian Federal Police for this important contribution and for the enduring cooperation and friendship that underpin our bilateral relationship.”

I also acknowledge the Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police, the RAPPP Commander and other Australian government agencies, personnel and partners whose collective efforts have made this contribution possible.

We particularly value that this support extends beyond the provision of assets. The accompanying training, maintenance and operational support demonstrate a partnership focused not only on building capability today but also on ensuring that capability is sustained into the future.

That is the true value of an enduring partnership. As Solomon Islands continues to strengthen its national security architecture, partnerships such as these remain critically important.

They enable us to respond to emerging challenges with greater preparedness and confidence, while strengthening our national institutions to remain professional, capable and responsive to the needs of our people.

To the leadership and personnel of the RSIPF Maritime Division, I congratulate you on this important enhancement to your operational capability.

Today, we acknowledge not simply the gifting of two vessels, but the continued strengthening of a partnership between our two governments and countries. Let us continue to build on this partnership in a spirit of mutual respect, shared responsibility and a common vision for a peaceful, secure, resilient and prosperous Pacific.