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Australia has pledged to continue supporting the Solomon Islands on the disposal of unexploded ordnance, with the Australian government supporting the Solomon Islands with a $15 million package for infrastructure, equipment and training.
The recent announcement is part of the enduring relationship between Defence and the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force to mitigate the ongoing threat of World War II explosive ordnance that remain scattered across the islands.
In just the last 12 months, there have been two additional fata incidents resulting from the impact of unexploded ordnance on the islands.
It is hoped that the new infrastructure upgrades, which includes redeveloping the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force’s demolitions range at its Hells Point location, will assist in the safe removal and destruction of the unexploded ordnance.
The new facility will be supported by additional equipment, including a new excavator, which Defence hopes will enable the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force to remove and relocate the ordnance.
As part of the support package, experts from the Australian Defence Force are expected to design a training package to impart the local police with advanced skills to meet the ongoing challenge of unexploded ordnance. According to Defence, the training is also hoped to complement the Defence Cooperation Program, by supporting the police with an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Adviser from the ADF.
Defence expects construction of the facilities and training to begin in 2022.
The announcement comes following the delivery of the Guardian Class patrol boat, the RSIPV Taro, to the Solomon Islands under the government’s Pacific Maritime Security Program.
“The new Guardian Class patrol boats play an important role in tackling our shared regional security challenges, and the delivery of RSIPV Taro is a significant milestone,” Head of Navy Engineering, Rear Admiral Katherine Richards, said.
“We are better positioned to respond to maritime threats, from illegal fishing to transnational crime, by working together, co-ordinating closely and building our interoperability.
“Solomon Islands is leading the way in its use of the Guardian Class. The completion of its Guardian Class fleet today is a significant step-up in Solomon Islands’ and regional capability.”
[Related: Guardian Class patrol boat delivered to Solomon Islands]
