New Zealand Navy drone boats watch maritime traffic around Fiji

Text poster only. The source video's cover frame shows a white uncrewed surface vessel with a tall solar-panel sail and a sensor mast on open sea under a dramatic sky, titled Silent Hunter; the NZDF release photos show the vessel on a trailer and operators guiding it to shore. — New Zealand Defence Force (Royal New Zealand Navy), watch at source · Link-only (source-hosted; not rehosted)

Video released Oct. 18-19, 2026 by the New Zealand Defence Force. The NZDF says the Royal New Zealand Navy and New Zealand Customs uncrewed surface vessels Tahi and Rua spent four weeks in Fiji's Exclusive Economic Zone at Fiji's request, flagging 137 vessels of interest for more scrutiny on routes linked to narcotics. It says the wave-, solar- and wind-powered vessels were flown to Nadi on an RNZAF C-130J and launched from Vuda Marina. The 2-minute 20-second video, titled Silent Hunter, shows the vessels at sea and their operators.

What: New Zealand Navy drone boats watch maritime traffic around Fiji
Where: Fiji EEZ (launched from Vuda Marina)
When: Oct 19, 2026
Who: New Zealand Defence Force (Royal New Zealand Navy), with New Zealand Customs Service
Status: Official release
Warning: Content warning: None. Uncrewed survey boats at sea and their operators; no one harmed. Graphic level: none.

Sources

New Zealand Defence Force (Royal New Zealand Navy), with New Zealand Customs Service · Silent Hunter - USVs in Fiji | Royal New Zealand Navy (NZ Defence Force on YouTube)

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Record details

Captured 19 October 2026. Time captured: not stated. Releasing authority: New Zealand Defence Force (Royal New Zealand Navy), with New Zealand Customs Service. Location: Fiji EEZ (launched from Vuda Marina).

Watch at source

Credit: New Zealand Defence Force (Royal New Zealand Navy), watch at source. License: Link-only (source-hosted; not rehosted).