New Zealand Uncrewed Vessels Watch Fiji's EEZ for Four Weeks, Flag 137 Vessels of Interest
At the request of the Government of Fiji, two uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) jointly owned by the Royal New Zealand Navy and the New Zealand Customs Service, Tahi and Rua, have completed a four-week deployment in Fiji's exclusive economic zone, the New Zealand Defence Force said on October 19.
The USVs were delivered to Nadi by a Royal New Zealand Air Force C-130J Hercules, then taken by road to Vuda Marina for launch. Powered by a combination of wave, solar and wind energy, they can remain at sea around the clock for weeks without resupply, continuously reporting their position and observations to a monitoring centre. During the deployment, the two vessels identified 137 vessels of interest requiring additional scrutiny.
The NZDF said the operation's intent was to build a 'pattern of life' picture of maritime traffic, helping the Republic of Fiji Military Forces distinguish normal activity from the abnormal. Fiji's Maritime Essential Services Centre (MESC) in Suva is assessing the information gathered, which may in future be used to direct interceptions, boardings and searches.
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：新西兰皇家海军舰艇在太平洋岛屿水域（资料图）。来源：Wikimedia Commons，CC BY 2.0 / Photo: A Royal New Zealand Navy vessel in Pacific island waters (file photo). Source: Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
