Pat Conroy

Stories

Australia to provide Fiji with solar-powered maritime surveillance drones

Announced the Fiji drone deal on October 16, 2026

Australia will give Fiji Bluebottle surveillance boats as permanent Fijian assets, with the first expected in early 2027. The 7.5-metre craft run on solar, wind and wave power, can stay at sea for up to six months, and carry radar, sonar and cameras.

Updated Oct 25

Notable Quotes

And the beauty of them is that they are quiet – they're literally powered by the sun, the waves and the wind – so that they are very hard to detect themselves.

from Australia to provide Fiji with solar-powered maritime surveillance drones · Updated Oct 25

For the good of every country in the region, including our own, we need to work together to stamp out the illicit drug trade.

from Australia to provide Fiji with solar-powered maritime surveillance drones · Updated Oct 25