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Border Security

Border Surveillance Training Strengthens Security Across Solomon Islands

By Eliza Kukutu

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Border support from Australia

Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) officers have strengthened their ability to detect and respond to border security threats through advanced surveillance training and small boats courses delivered by the Australian Defence Force (ADF) as part of Exercise Coastwatchers, the premier training exercise between the ADF and the RSIPF.

The Border Surveillance and Small Boats courses, including advanced training streams, were conducted across several provinces from Guadalcanal, Western, Choiseul, and Isabel Provinces giving officers practical experience in operating in the environments where they are most likely to work. The training focused on projecting police capability into remote locations, conducting surveillance operations, gathering intelligence, and coordinating responses to potential criminal activity.

Participants developed skills in planning and conducting surveillance missions, using advanced Parrot drones to monitor areas of interest, analysing and reporting information back to headquarters, and integrating surveillance activities with broader police operations. The course was designed to strengthen the RSIPF’s ability to protect Solomon Islands maritime resources, monitor its borders, and combat transnational crimes such as the trafficking of illicit drugs.

An RSIPF member undertaking border surveillance training as part of Exercise Coastwatchers.
An RSIPF member undertaking border surveillance training as part of Exercise Coastwatchers.

Solomon Islands has one of the largest maritime areas in the Pacific, making effective border surveillance an important part of protecting the nation’s resources and communities. The skills developed through the course will help officers identify and respond to potential illegal activity, including cross-border crime and the movement of illicit drugs.

Training activities combined classroom instruction with realistic field-based scenarios, giving participants the opportunity to apply new skills in common operational environments. Officers learned how to collect and assess information, use technology to improve situational awareness, and communicate reporting back to headquarters to support decision making and coordinated police actions.

Acting Defence Adviser to Solomon Islands, Squadron Leader (SQNLDR) Brett Verity, said the training was designed to strengthen the RSIPF’s ability to operate effectively across the country and respond to emerging security challenges.

“Solomon Islands faces unique border security challenges across a large maritime area, and effective surveillance is critical to protecting communities and national resources,” SQNLDR Verity said.

“This training has equipped RSIPF officers with advanced skills in surveillance planning, drone operations, information reporting and operational coordination, helping them respond effectively to potential threats wherever they occur.”

Exercise Coastwatchers continues to strengthen the longstanding partnership between the ADF and RSIPF, delivering practical training that enhances operational capability and supports security outcomes for Solomon Islands communities.

This iteration of Exercise Coastwatchers will run from 31 August until 23 September.

ENDS///

– AHC Honiara

TopicsBorder SecuritySolomon Islands-Australia relations
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