Region: Broad support for Republic of Fiji Military Forces involvement in recent multinational exercises
Regional military forces have recently completed several major multinational exercises. Tonga and Fiji provided an infantry platoon each to the US-led Exercise Rim of the Pacific 2026 (RIMPAC), held in the Hawaiian Islands over 24 June–31 July, involving ships, aircraft, and land forces from 30 countries. Concurrently, Fiji provided 12 military personnel to the Royal Australian Air Force-led Exercise Pitch Black in movements, media, military police, catering, and medical roles, and a further 14 personnel to Exercise Garuda Canti Dharma III, a peacekeeping exercise jointly led by Indonesia and the US. On 7 August, the Republic of Fiji Military Forces embarked on Exercise Bougainville, its largest collective training exercise of the year, testing its role in all-of-government disaster relief, civil unrest, insurgency, and maritime incursions. Exercise Bougainville runs to 28 August, involving 600 personnel, other government emergency services, and forces from New Zealand and Australia.
Assessment: Sentiment analysis showed overwhelming support for RFMF participation in the various regional exercises. A minority of public commenters questioned Fiji's relationship with the US (6%) as well as the perception that Fiji was siding with Indonesia over West Papuans (16%) — though these criticisms were targeted at Fiji government policy rather than the RFMF or its personnel. Tongan participation in Exercise RIMPAC received almost no local traditional or social media attention except through Australian and US official posts with very limited local engagement. Domestic support for the RFMF remains high despite its elevated role in domestic security through its joint counter-drug operations. The RFMF is using multinational exercises to integrate with traditional partners and to improve its strategic and operational level command and control, including support functions — these are key areas being reinforced through Exercise Bougainville.
Sources: Republic of Fiji Military Forces, “RFMF Strengthens Urban Warfare Skills at RIMPAC,” Facebook, 25 July 2026; Republic of Fiji Military Forces, “RFMF Joins Multinational Forces for RIMPAC 2026 Exercise,” Facebook, 29 June 2026; Fiji Ministry of Foreign Affairs, “Fiji Strengthens Defence Partnership with Indonesia Through Multinational Peacekeeping Exercise,” Facebook, 4 August 2026.
