Ten Bushmaster 4x4 armoured vehicles have been bought by the government from the Australian Army.

Seven vehicles will be transported to the Golan Heights and three vehicles transported to Fiji.

Australia will also provide an initial spare parts package for  six months and provide training about these amoured vehicles to RFMF personnel.

Minister for National Security and Defence Ratu Inoke Kubuabola and his Australian counterpart Marise Payne formalised the sale of the Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicles yesterday.

Kubuabola says the acquisition of these amoured vehicles is an initiative under the Defence Cooperation Programme under which shared experience of owning and operating the vehicles will enhance commitments.

He says the new amoured vehicles will be used to support Fiji’s United Nations peacekeeping missions.

Kubuabola says our men and women in peacekeeping missions are exposed to danger, violence and conflict and their safety, security and protection is a priority.

He adds the procurement of these amoured vehicles also contributes to humanitarian emergencies to ensure that responses during natural disasters are strengthened. 

The Minister for Defence says the RFMF can now be expected to play a bigger role in natural disasters particularly where the capacity of humanitarian organisations may be stretched.

With a road cruise speed of 100 kilometres per hour, Bushmaster 4x4 amoured vehicles transports troops, quickly and comfortably and is suitable for deployment in complex and lethal operational environments such as Iraq.

This amoured vehicles provides high‑level protection against anti‑tank mines, improvised explosive devices, mortar fragments and small arms fire.

The vehicles are fitted with a remote‑controlled weapon system and have a multimedia communication system.

It is designed to transport up to ten troops.

The cabin has a personal weapons storage area, mission equipment storage and a split air‑conditioning system to each seat.