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Australian plans to boost the country's navy are a threat to Fiji, a top Fijian military commander has said.
Fiji's Land Force Commander, Colonel Pita Driti, told the Fiji Times that Australia's planned A$11 ($12.31) billion purchase of advanced destroyers and amphibious warships was a reaction to his country's military coup.
"Their plans to purchase and strengthen defence equipment came about in December when it could not respond to an alleged request by Laisenia Qarase for Australia's intervention in what was happening in Fiji," Colonel Driti told the newspaper.
He said the new equipment could lead to a speedy attack on Fiji.
"Those amphibious ships, had they been available in December and had Australia received a request from Qarase, would have taken about 24 hours to surface in Fiji ready for attack," Driti said.
Australian Prime Minister John Howard recently said the new purchases would be "a massive lift" in the navy's air warfare capability.
"They will greatly enhance Australia's ability to send forces in strength, when required, particularly in our own region, but not of course restricted to our own region," Howard said.
In an interview with the ABC last week, Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said the new ships should not be seen as a threat by the region.
"We are happy to talk to countries in the region about what our defence plans, in particular our defence equipment plans actually are," Mr Downer said.
- AAP
