Australia provides HF Police Radios for the western border

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A new CODAN High Frequency (HF) radio system will boost the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) communications capabilities along the western border and support the Solomon Islands Government’s overall effort to maintain border security.The new system is being provided by Australia under the longstanding Defence Cooperation Program.The CODAN HF radio system comprises four ‘man-packs’ that can be used by the RSIPF on patrols, and two ‘base stations’ that will be located at police stations at the western border.Australian High Commissioner Dr Lachlan Strahan handed over the radio equipment to Acting Police Commissioner Mostyn Mangau at Rove on Friday (24 June).Dr Strahan said the new radio equipment was a further demonstration of Australia’s commitment to helping Solomon Islands manage its borders.“Communication was a key issue that was discussed when Acting Commissioner Mangau and I travelled up to Shortland Island with a ministerial delegation earlier this year,” Dr Strahan said.“Effective and reliable communication is a key part of police border patrols. The delivery of this new radio system is timely as it will help boost RSIPF capability in its COVID prevention and response activities at the western border.“Work is also well underway towards constructing a new permanent Border and Patrol outpost in the Shortland Islands.”When receiving the CODAN HF radio system, Acting Commissioner of the RSIPF said, “On behalf of the RSIPF, I wish to sincerely thank the Australian Government through its Defence Cooperation Program with Solomon Islands for this timely gift of the communication system.”“The RSIPF Operation currently underway at the western border region with Papua New Guinea to enforce the COVID-19 Emergency Zone declared there will greatly benefit from this new equipment. Officers need to communicate in real time when patrolling the vast maritime area and this new equipment will make this possible,” said Acting Commissioner Mangau.The radio equipment will be transported from Rove to the Shortland Islands by the RSIPF Maritime Unit. It will then be installed by Pacific Viazeds, a company that will also provide direct training to officers on how to use and maintain the equipment.//ENDS//Australian High Commission.

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