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• Summary
• Military Capability

Military capability

Only three Pacific Island nations – Tonga, Papua New Guinea, and Fiji – currently maintain standing militaries. Vanuatu does not have a military. Instead, the Vanuatu Mobile Force (VMF) provides a limited first line of defence against external aggression and assists the general duties branch of the Vanuatu Police Force (VPF) to maintain law and order. Part of the police force, the VMF can carry out counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations when needed, lead in search and rescue operations, provide close protection for VIPs, and has regimental duties (like guards of honour), among others.

When the VMF was created in July 1980 following Vanuatu’s independence, Australia initially provided the first and second intake of personnel with basic military training. Two years later, in 1982 Australia helped to build a new barracks and donated transport vehicles. In 1994, the VMF deployed 50 officers to Bougainville, Papua New Guinea in its first ever peacekeeping mission. 

The Police Maritime Wing (PMW) was established on 15 August 1985. Its primary role is to police illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing activities in Vanuatu's Exclusive Economic Zone.

Military Cooperation with Australia

Australia is Vanuatu’s principal security partner. The ADF works with the VMF and PMW, through the Defence Cooperation Program, to support capability, training, operations, and facilities. 

In 2021, Australia handed over a Guardian class patrol boat to the PMW named RVS Takuare. This replaced RVS Tukoro, which was gifted to Vanuatu in 1987 under the Pacific Patrol Boat Program.  In 2024, Australia donated a landing craft that will help deliver humanitarian stores and provide disaster relief. Because of its design, the PMV can reach shallow shores that larger ships can’t access, meaning it can deliver aid to remote or damaged areas. 

These vessels enable better patrolling, stronger border surveillance, and search and rescue capabilities. Both vessels also come with through-life training and maintenance. 

The ADF has conducted major humanitarian operations in Vanuatu following a series of natural disasters. In March 2023, Operation Vanuatu Assist deployed more than 600 personnel at the request of the Vanuatu Government following Cyclone Judy and Tropical Cyclone Kevin.  RAAF aircraft also flew in humanitarian aid following the December 2024 earthquake.

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) work with the VPF under the Vanuatu-Australia Policing Justice Program (VAPJP) providing equipment (Land Cruisers, quad bikes and IT gear) and training. The program also funds infrastructure projects, including the upgrade and redevelopment of both the Cook Barracks (Port Vila) and Tiroas Barracks (Luganville), and a new police station and courthouse built on Epi in 2023.

In 2024 Australia announced funding for a new Central Police Station to be built in Port Vila. The station will house approximately 165 VPF personnel and several specialist units, including: general duties, criminal investigations, forensics, cybercrime, traffic, family protection, and evidence storage. 

The Australian Border Force assists Vanuatu’s Immigration, Customs, and Biosecurity with protecting its borders and encouraging genuine travel and trade, while the ACT Emergency Services Agency provides training and equipment to the VPF who act as the Vanuatu fire service.

In 2022, Australia and Vanuatu signed a bilateral security agreement which was a significant milestone in bilateral relations. However, political instability and government turnover in Vanuatu overtook events in 2023 and the agreement was shelved before it could be ratified in Vanuatu’s Parliament. Since then, a new agreement has been drafted but, as of November 2025, has not yet been signed. (See: Diplomacy). 

For further information on Vanuatu’s security, see the resources below 

Video

1. Penny Wong speaks on Australia’s new deal with Vanuatu (8m 2s)
2. https://youtu.be/k-gtTNFr2ys?si=-tSwjHuuN6vQz0Dq (1m 52s)

Podcast

1. The changing face of Vanuatu’s Police Force (UN News, 16m 11s)

Articles

1. History - Vanuatu Police Force (gov.vu)
2. Police Maritime Wing – PMW – Vanuatu Police Force (gov.vu)
3. Cook Barracks and Tiroas Barracks Redevelopment (Vanuatu) | Business & Industry | Defence
4. 230704 JOINT MEDIA RELEASE – 230704 JOINT MEDIA RELEASE – Prime Minister and Chief Justice unveil Courthouse and Police Station on Rovo Bay.pdf (embassy.gov.au)
5. Joint Media Release – Port Vila Central Station.pdf (embassy.gov.au)
6. One year, three agreements: shaping thinking on regional security – Devpolicy Blog from the Development Policy Centre
7. Maritime mentor makes a difference | Defence
8. Future of Australia-Vanuatu security pact in doubt after Pacific Island nation picks new PM - ABC News
9. Assistance to Vanuatu | Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs (foreignminister.gov.au)
10. Vanuatu receives maritime capability boost with new Guardian-class Patrol Boat RVS Takuare | Defence Ministers
11. Australia Vanuatu Bilateral Security Agreement | Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade