Australia's Pacific Support Vessel, Australian Defence Vessel (ADV) Reliant, is preparing to depart Townsville for its first deployment of 2026 to reinforce Australia's ongoing commitment to Pacific stability and security.
Over the next three months ADV Reliant and her crew will visit Kiribati, Nauru, Tonga, Fiji and Solomon Islands.
The ship will support maritime weather surveillance during the high-risk weather season and respond to partner requests.
A key task will be delivering supplies intended to strengthen border security in Solomon Islands, including facilities for Customs, Immigration, Biosecurity and the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force.
Chief of Joint Operations Vice Admiral Justin Jones said the work reflected Australia's focus on partner priorities.
"ADV Reliant is a demonstration of Australia's commitment to regionally-led solutions to the Pacific's needs," Vice Admiral Jones said.
The 2026 deployment follows a year of activity across the region, with the vessel completing three deployments in 2025.
The ship delivered two fire trucks each to Kiribati and Tonga, while also delivering humanitarian and disaster relief stores to Fiji.
The vessel also supplied spares and stores to sustain Guardian-class Patrol Boats operated by Fiji, Tonga, Tuvalu and the Cook Islands.
Hydrographic survey tasks were carried out to support safe navigation in Pacific ports.
Reliant also rescued four sailors from a distressed civilian vessel while in transit to a port visit in Suva, Fiji.
In October, Reliant hosted 15 members of the Pacific Response Group for induction training.
The program included safety training, media awareness training, ship familiarisation and a Gender Focal Point course.
During its deployment, Reliant operated on renewable diesel, with Defence noting this contributed to lower carbon emissions in the Southwest Pacific.
Pacific partners have previously described the practical value of Reliant-linked support, including emergency capability and training.
Kiribati Police Service Acting Commissioner, Eeri Aritiera, last year commented on the impact of fire trucks delivered to Kiritimati.
"These trucks and tools are vital in covering the vast area of the atoll," Acting Commissioner Aritiera said.
More recently in November, His Majesty's Armed Forces - Tonga officer Captain Hehea Lino spoke about onboard training access.
"It's been great to have access to this type of training that we don't normally get back home," she said.
