The Republic of Fiji Military Forces has launched the Land Forces Exercise Bougainville 2026 (ExBV26) Command Post Exercise at Blackrock Camp in Nadi, with officials warning that Fiji is facing increasingly complex and overlapping national security threats.

The exercise brings together various RFMF units and government agencies involved in disaster and emergency response, including the Commissioner Western’s Office, Fiji Police Force, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Health, Fiji Airports and other key stakeholders.

Representatives from the New Zealand Defence Force and Australian Defence Force are also taking part in the exercise.

Speaking during the opening ceremony, Commissioner Western Division for the Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management, Apolosi Lewaqai, said Fiji is no longer preparing for isolated emergencies, but for multiple crises happening simultaneously.

Lewaqai highlighted growing concerns over fuel insecurity, HIV, drug-related issues, natural disasters, public health threats, misinformation and maritime security risks.

“We are not preparing for one type of crisis anymore. We are preparing for the convergence of crises happening at the same time,” he said.

He stressed that the exercise is designed to test command, communication and decision-making under pressure, while identifying weaknesses in national response systems before real emergencies occur.

Lewaqai revealed that earlier planning exercises had already exposed gaps in coordination, communication flow, mobility and response timing among agencies.

“I would rather we discover weaknesses here in Blackrock than during a real crisis when lives depend on our response,” he said.

The exercise aims to strengthen inter-agency coordination, improve operational planning and reinforce Fiji’s overall preparedness in responding to national emergencies and security threats.