Negotiations are underway for a second consignment of arms to the Fijian military from Russia.
This comes 29 days after the first consignment arrived in the country.
The Fiji Times quotes the defence minister Timoci Natuva saying his government is negotiating because these things are expensive and it cannot afford them.
He says Russian military instructors have this week been teaching local instructors how to use and look after the weapons.
He says this is important because Russia has different weapons compared with the Korean K2 rifle and the US-made M16 normally used by Fijian soldiers.
Mr Natuva says Fiji's participation in big peacekeeping missions is being recognised by bigger countries, hence the assistance.
