History
Fiji
NameKikau
Launched1995
Identification
StatusShip in active service
General characteristics
Class and typePacific Forum-class patrol boat
Displacement162 tons
Length103 ft (31 m)

RFNS Kikau (202) is a Pacific-class patrol boat operated by Fiji. She was designed and built by Australia. Australia agreed to provide twenty-two patrol boats to twelve of its neighbours and fellow members of the Pacific Forum, after the recently concluded United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea extended maritime nations' exclusive economic zone to 200 kilometres (110 nmi).[1] Australia provided two other patrol vessels to Fiji, Kula and Kiro. Australia also provided training and infrastructure.

Operational history

Although Australia designed the vessels using commercial off-the-shelf components, so smaller countries, like Fiji, would find them easier to maintain, Fiji found the vessels hard to maintain, and there were periods where only Kula remained operational.[2][3]

Kikau completed an extensive refit at Cairns, Australia on July 25, 2018.[4][5]

Replacement

Australia started building 21 larger and more capable replacement vessels in 2017.[6] Fiji is scheduled to receive two new vessels. Kikau is expected to remain in service until 2022.[5]

References

  1. ↑ Dave Morley (2015-12-03). "Lifelines across Pacific" (PDF). Navy News. Vol. 58, no. 23. p. 8. Retrieved 2018-08-12. The program involves 22 Australian-gifted patrol boats to 12 Pacific island countries, the majority of which are operated by police services.
  2. ↑ Jessica Savike (2017-08-11). "Fiji Navy currently has only one operational vessel in Fiji - Natuva". Fiji Village. Archived from the original on 2017-11-11. Retrieved 2018-06-09.
  3. ↑ "Fiji Navy fleet down to one vessel". Fiji Broadcasting Corporation. 2017-04-26. Archived from the original on 2018-06-12. Retrieved 2018-06-11. Of the four vessels that were part of the fleet, the RFNS Kikau will be sealifted to Australia tomorrow for a refit where it will remain there for the remainder of the year.
  4. ↑ "RFNS Kikau Home After Repair Works". Fiji Sun. 2018-07-25. Archived from the original on 2018-07-26. Retrieved 2018-07-25. In a statement, the Australian High Commission Suva confirmed that the final stages of repairs and trials were completed over the last week. The repair cost is estimated to be around $20 million.
  5. 1 2 Shirika Shalini (2018-10-10). ""Kikau's Return A Bonus To Navy Says Tawake"". Fiji Sun. Retrieved 2018-10-25. 'From the ship lift of the vessel from Suva in May last year to the Norship refit yard in Cains, Kikau has completed repairs and upgrades that will see her perform her mission of ensuring the maritime security of Fiji for another five years, in good time for her replacement by an Australian built Guardian Class patrol Boat,' Captain (Navy) Bairstow said.
  6. ↑ Maika Bolatiki (2018-03-07). "Australian High Commissioner Visits RFMF Commander". Fiji Sun. Archived from the original on 2018-04-23. Retrieved 2018-04-22. Director Peacekeeping Operations and Advisor to the RFMF Commander Lieutenant Colonel Pacolo Luveni said, in this visit Mr Feakes said the replacement of the Kula, a Guardian class patrol vessel will be arriving into Fiji on March 2020 and not in 2022.
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