The Deputy Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF), Commodore Humphrey Tawake, undertook a series of high-level visits to leading defence industries while attending the Beijing Xianshang Forum in China. The highlight of the engagements was visits to two of the country’s foremost enterprises—China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO) and the China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation (CATIC).

At NORINCO headquarters, the Deputy Commander was briefed on the company’s wide range of defence technologies, including land systems, armoured vehicles, precision weaponry, and advanced surveillance solutions. Discussions explored how such capabilities could support Fiji’s operational requirements in peacekeeping, humanitarian assistance, and maritime security.

NORINCO also highlighted opportunities for training and technical support, tailored to Fiji’s needs as a small but active contributor to global and regional security.

The second major engagement was with CATIC, a global leader in aerospace technology. The Deputy Commander was welcomed with a presentation showcasing the corporation’s capabilities in aviation platforms, unmanned aerial systems, and integrated logistics support. Dialogue centered on the potential role of aviation technologies in strengthening Fiji’s maritime domain awareness, disaster response operations, and peacekeeping deployment efficiency.

The visits to NORINCO and CATIC reflect Fiji’s continuing efforts to broaden its defence partnerships and to assess new technologies that can support the modernization of the RFMF. Commodore Tawake noted that the exposure to leading-edge systems and innovations provides valuable insights as Fiji shapes its future defence posture.

He further emphasized that Fiji’s priority remains enhancing its ability to respond effectively to humanitarian crises, climate-induced disasters, and regional security challenges, while continuing to contribute meaningfully to United Nations peacekeeping missions.

The engagements concluded with commitments to continue dialogue, explore avenues for training exchanges, and identify areas of practical cooperation that align with Fiji’s national security priorities.

The Deputy Commander’s visit to NORINCO and CATIC highlights the RFMF’s proactive approach in seeking diverse partnerships to ensure Fiji remains prepared, capable, and adaptable in an evolving security environment.