Members of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) and the Australian Defence Force (ADF) have completed a Drone Pilot Course as part of Exercise Coastwatchers, the premier annual training activity between the RSIPF and ADF.
The course was designed to provide RSIPF personnel with practical skills in the safe and effective use of small unmanned aerial systems, commonly known as drones, to support a wide range of operational tasks.
Through a combination of classroom instruction, mission planning, and hands-on flying activities, participants developed the skills required to employ drone technology in real-world policing and security environments.
The training focused on applications that are directly relevant to the needs of Solomon Islands, including maritime surveillance, border monitoring, search and rescue, disaster response, and situational awareness in remote and difficult-to-access locations.
As an island nation with a vast maritime domain, Solomon Islands faces unique challenges in monitoring its borders and protecting its natural resources.
Drone technology provides an additional capability to support these efforts by giving authorities a greater ability to observe remote areas, identify suspicious activity, and respond more quickly to emerging incidents.
The capability can support efforts to combat illegal activities such as drug trafficking, transnational crime, illegal fishing, and the movement of other illegal goods into Solomon Islands.
It can also help improve awareness of activity in coastal and maritime areas, allowing resources to be directed more effectively where they are needed most.
Course participants were flying the same high spec Parrot drones Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister handed over to the Solomon Islands Government in February this year, expanding the number of people who can operate this high tech capability.
Importantly, the course emphasised practical learning.
Participants conducted a series of flight activities that replicated operational scenarios, including surveillance tasks, target identification, route planning, and information gathering exercises.
The training was designed to ensure graduates leave with skills they can immediately apply in support of RSIPF operations.
Australian Defence Adviser to Solomon Islands, CAPT Emma Griffiths, said the course demonstrated the practical and enduring partnership between Australia and Solomon Islands.
“Exercise Coastwatchers is built on practical cooperation and a shared commitment to supporting the security needs of Solomon Islands,” Griffiths said.
“This course provided an opportunity for Australian Defence Force and Royal Solomon Islands Police Force personnel to work side by side, sharing knowledge and learning from one another while developing valuable operational skills,” she added.
“While Australian personnel delivered instruction on drone operations and technology, our RSIPF colleagues contributed valuable local knowledge and operational experience.
“The result was a genuine exchange of ideas and expertise that strengthened both organisations.
“The relationships built through training like this are just as important as the technical skills.
“They help ensure we can continue to work together effectively as trusted partners when responding to future challenges.”
The course also highlighted the continuing evolution of cooperation between Australia and Solomon Islands.
The name Exercise Coastwatchers honours the Australian Coastwatchers and Solomon Scouts who worked together during the Second World War to monitor enemy activity and provide critical intelligence across the islands.
More than eighty years later, the operating environment has changed significantly, but many of the underlying principles remain the same.
Where Coastwatchers and Scouts once relied on observation posts, radios and local knowledge, modern security personnel can now utilise technologies such as drones to gather information, improve situational awareness and extend the reach of their operations.
The historical connection serves as a reminder that cooperation between Australia and Solomon Islands is built on a longstanding foundation of mutual trust, shared experience and service to regional security.
Exercise Coastwatchers continues this legacy by bringing together ADF and RSIPF personnel to undertake training that has been specifically requested by the RSIPF and tailored to local operational requirements.
The Drone Pilot Course is one of several activities being delivered during Exercise Coastwatchers and reflects the ongoing commitment of both nations to building practical capabilities, and ensuring personnel are equipped with the skills needed to meet current and future security challenges.