20 August 2015
Kawasaki Mule Gifting to Police Explosive Ordinance Dive Team
The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force has improved capability to clear unexploded ordinance, thanks to a new Kawasaki mule vehicle gifted by the Australian Defence Force.
The vehicle was gifted by Chief of Staff Navy Strategic Command, Peter Laver, to improve the Explosive Ordinance Dive Team’s mobility and capability to support weapons-clearance efforts.
The vehicle can travel to where ordinary cars cannot, which will help save lives and reduce injuries in the community.
CDRE Peter Laver reaffirmed Australia's commitment to assist the Solomon Islands Police Force to clear unexploded ordnance (UXO) from agricultural and other land.
"This support will enable the RSIPF to clear more than 120 square hectares of land at Hells Point”. CDRE Laver said.
“Many people around the world have been killed or injured as a result of unexploded ordinance accidents and the current Dive Team’s efforts ensure this does not happen in this country.
“Unexploded ordinance can be dangerous to any one at any time and the last thing we want happening is the Solomon Islands people being killed or injured.”