Russian experts in Fiji for weapons handover

SUVA – Twenty Russian soldiers have arrived in Fiji to help with the transfer of a large consignment of Russian weapons for the Fiji military.

The arrival of the soldiers, understood to be weapons experts, comes with the landing in Suva last month of at least 20 containers of arms and equipment from Russia.

Military officials have confirmed the consignment incudes small arms, ammunition, military trucks and training equipment, also mobile mechanical workshops to be used in disasters.

There are also reports of a helicopter among the equipment.

Both the Fiji and Russian governments say the consignment is destined for Fiji’s UN peacekeepers.

Fiji’s military chief Rear Admiral Vilame Naupoto told the Fiji Sun the peacekeepers needed new arms because they were operating in volatile areas and their weapons were outdated.

A Russian foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said they have been supplied at the official request of Fiji and will be used by the Fijian armoured infantry battalion, which is part of the UN Disengagement Observer Force based in the Golan Heights.

Military experts have speculated the Fijians are getting some of the VERY latest Russian weaponry, including the export version of the Kalashnikov assault rifle, which uses NATO-standard ammunition.

An official ceremony is planned for this month to hand over the weapons.

There has been concern in Fiji at secrecy surrounding the transfer.

When the shipment arrived in Suva last month, the Fiji Labour Party said it was a secret deal while the parliamentary opposition said the transaction was illegal because it did not go through parliament for approval.

Opposition MPs questioned the Minister for Defence Timoci Natuva on the arrangement in parliament on Tuesday.

Natuva told parliament the deal was signed with the Russians in 2013 and there was no necessity for it to be announced in the House.

“Shifting arms and ammunition across the world goes through a safety process. You don’t have to go around calling out to people that we are providing ammunition for Fiji,” he said.

To a question on why the consignment was not listed as aid in the 2016 budget, Natuva said the finalisation of the shipment was made after the budget was published.

- RNZI