Australia’s Pacific Support Vessel, Australian Defence Vessel (ADV) Reliant, will arrive in Honiara on 7 November 2022 for a humanitarian assistance and disaster relief exercise being held with the Solomon Islands Government.
Australian High Commissioner Lachlan Strahan said he was looking forward to the vessel’s arrival next week.
“ADV Reliant underscores our longstanding efforts to strengthen the security and resilience of Solomon Islands and we look forward to its continued presence in the region for years to come.”
“Australia works with Solomon Islands to address our shared challenges, including the effects of climate change and greater demands for disaster relief.”
Reliant will spend several months visiting seven Pacific island countries and Timor-Leste during the Pacific high risk weather season to provide maritime surveillance support and deliver essential cargo, including humanitarian supplies.
It will have a sustained presence in the Pacific to meet the needs of our Pacific family, including the ability to respond quickly in times of crisis.
Reliant will enhance regional search and rescue, maritime surveillance, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) capabilities, while also providing support to training, regional engagement and capacity building activities.
Defence Advisor South West Pacific Lieutenant Colonel Justin Bywater said during its visit ADV Reliant would participate in a joint Australia-Solomon Islands HADR exercise.
“Exercise Longreach, supported by the Pacific Support Vessel, will assist the National Disaster Management Office practice an evacuation of Savo Island.”
“This will help inform Solomon Islands’ response to disasters, including volcano eruptions, for years to come.”
At 102 metres long, Reliant has a large cargo deck, heavy duty crane, and can produce thousands of litres of fresh water per day.
Reliant reinforces Australia’s commitment to meeting our Pacific family’s shared security responsibility.
