The United States of America will be providing US$4.9 million in foreign military financing to Fiji after Congressional approval.
US Secretary of Defence Lloyd J. Austin III highlighted this at the Mariott in Denarau today.
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Austin says in their bilateral meeting this morning, they also discussed the security environment and Fiji's role as a regional leader.
He says this includes a new acquisition, a cross-servicing agreement which will be signed with the Ministry for Home Affairs later today.
The Secretary of Defence says this agreement will mean a closer logistics cooperation between our forces, including for humanitarian assistance in disaster relief.
He says they are also announcing the start of negotiations on a status of forces agreement, or SOFA, which once complete, will expand the two nations bilateral defence cooperation through increased exercises and military-to-military engagement.
Austin says maritime security is essential, and the first delivery of rigid, mobile, inflatable boats will arrive in the next several months.
He says they will also deliver a new boat ramp to support maritime patrols over the border.
