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Military cooperation with Australia

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) is responsible for assisting the general duties branch of the Vanuatu Police Force (VPF) to maintain law and order where necessary. Where there is an external threat, the VMF provides a limited first line defence against aggression.

When the VMF was created in July 1980 following independence, Australia initially provided the first and second intake of personnel with basic military training in Papua New Guinea. In 1982 Australia helped to build a new barracks and provided 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 and operates RVS Tukoro which Australia gifted to Vanuatu in 1987. Its primary role is to police illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing activities. 

Military Cooperation with Australia

Australia is Vanuatu’s principal security partner. The Australian Defence Force works with the VMF and PMW to support capability, training, operations, and facilities. In 2024 Australia gifted a landing craft to the PMW. The additional craft will serve to deliver humanitarian stores and provide disaster relief. 

In 2022, Australia and Vanuatu – under then-Prime Minister Ishmael Kalsakau – signed a bilateral security agreement which was a significant milestone in bilateral relationship. However, political instability and government turnover in Vanuatu overtook events in 2023 and caused the agreement to be shelved before it could be ratified in Vanuatu’s Parliament. It is possible that it may be revisited in the future.

As well as donating policing and defence equipment, Australia also provides funds for infrastructure projects. Recent examples include the upgrade and redevelopment of both the Cooks and Tiroas barracks in Port Vila and 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 which will employ local contractors to oversee the construction. 

The Australian Border Force works alongside Vanuatu’s Immigration, Customs, Biosecurity, and the VPF to help protect the border and encourage genuine travel and trade. Australia’s ACT Fire and Rescue service is also delivering training and equipment to the VPF who act as the Vanuatu fire service. 

In March 2023, Australia deployed a rapid assessment team to survey the impact of tropical cyclones Judy and Kevin at the request of the Vanuatu Government. In 2024, following Tropical Cyclone Lola, within hours of the disaster, then-Prime Minister Salwai was supported by a Royal Australia Air Force flight to assess the damage.

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)