Fiji Takes Ownership of Replacement Guardian-Class Patrol Boat
The Australian Defence Force has handed over control of a new Guardian Class patrol boat, RFNS Timo, to the Fiji Navy fleet. This is the third Guardian‑class Patrol Boat delivered to Fiji and the 22nd vessel delivered by Australia under the Pacific Maritime Security Program.
The Guardian-class Patrol Boat (Austal Patrol 40) is a small steel-hulled vessel designed and built by Austal Australia for delivery to 12 Pacific Island nations (Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Federated States of Micronesia, Tonga, Solomon Islands, Cook Islands, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Palau, Samoa, Tuvalu, Vanuatu and Timor Leste ) under the Australian Government’s Pacific Maritime Security Program. The naval vessel is 39.5 meters long, with a beam of 8 meters and a loaded draft of 2.5 meters. It can travel at 20 knots and 12 knots and has a 3,000-navigational-mile range. Each vessel can accommodate 23 people.
RFNS Timo will replace RFNS Puamau, the second Guardian-class patrol boat donated by the Australian government to the Fiji Navy in March 2024. Unfortunately, RFNS Puamau ran aground on a reef near Fulaga Island during its maiden voyage, highlighting the challenges of operating in the complex and often dangerous waters of the Pacific. Now, with RFNS Timo joining her sister ship RFNS SAVENACA, the Fiji Navy’s capacity to address key regional security challenges will be significantly enhanced. Together, the two boats will play an important role in protecting Fiji’s waters, addressing fisheries protection, combating transnational crime, and conducting search and rescue missions. They will also contribute to broader efforts to maintain maritime security across the Pacific.
According to the Australian Department of Defense, “The new vessel will enhance Fiji’s maritime security capability in support of a peaceful, prosperous, and resilient region. Australia and Fiji are committed to enhancing security cooperation to respond to shared regional challenges such as transnational crime and maritime security threats.”