Australia's latest charm offensive in the Pacific has involved the deployment of Defence aircraft to collect more than 250 performers for the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo in Sydney.

Key points: Performers from Indonesia, PNG, Samoa, Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands will debut at this year's Edinburgh Military Tattoo in Sydney

Performers from Indonesia, PNG, Samoa, Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands will debut at this year's Edinburgh Military Tattoo in Sydney Australia launched Operation Tartan — the deployment of five C-130 Hercules aircraft — to collect the performers

Australia launched Operation Tartan — the deployment of five C-130 Hercules aircraft — to collect the performers Despite the tattoo's showcase of colour, simmering in the background of Operation Tartan is a Pacific power struggle

Set to take place in front of a replica of Edinburgh Castle, the event is expected to be the largest in the tattoo's 69-year history.

It will include new faces from Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Vanuatu, and the Solomon Islands — all brought to Sydney under a military operation coined Operation Tartan.

The chance for the Pacific visitors to perform alongside military bands known for their pomp and pageantry signals a recognition of their cultural value.

"We are a little dance crew and this is our first time to be involved in a big occasion like that," said Madlyn Miki from Faeni, a traditional all-female Solomon Islands troupe.

Standing on a palm tree-fringed beach in a bodice made from shell money (a traditional form of local currency), Ms Miki said the performance would be the biggest moment of her life.

Rick Fairamoa and his fellow group members will perform a traditional Mao dance. ( ABC Radio Sydney: Harriet Tatham )

Fula'aro panpipe group member James Ega agreed.

"We are the locals, the natives, and we feel like the military people are dealing with guns and the armed forces, so we are just thinking that they will really hate us," he said.

"So when we heard that they requested us ... we are so excited that we are coming closer to them and we are together with them.

"It's a big deal."

The costumes are made from shell money, a traditional form of currency. ( ABC Radio Sydney: Harriet Tatham )

Both Fula'aro and Faeni will perform a Mao dance, a celebratory style that emerged in the Malaita province of the Solomons.

"We usually perform [Mao] for any traditional occasion or cultural occasion in our home, so it is very important," dancer Rick Fairamoa said.

"It reflects our people in past times."

But despite the showcase of colour and culture, simmering in the background of Operation Tartan is a power struggle.

The flight to the Solomon Islands is part of Australia's latest charm offensive in the region. ( ABC Radio Sydney: Harriet Tatham )

Battle for influence

With China's diplomatic power in the Pacific growing, organisers admit the military operation presented an opportunity for Australia to gain some ground in the battle for influence.

"Whether you call it soft power, because there's military involved, or cultural diplomacy ... it's a great opportunity," said Brigadier David Allfrey, producer and chief executive of the tattoo.

"All of these counties are terribly important to present Australia and future Australia.

"The same way as you talk over the fence to a neighbour ... this is the same, just a bit bigger."

Corporal Jasmine Elliot, the flight's loadmaster, says work like Operation Tartan is the best part of her job. ( ABC Radio Sydney: Harriet Tatham )

While Australia provides significant foreign aid to the region, the latest efforts in soft diplomacy did not go unnoticed.

"This is very strong relations between Australia and the Pacific to try and showcase our collective identity in the region, and definitely it's soft diplomacy, and it's great," Vanuatu's Foreign Affairs Minister, Ralph Regenvanu, said.

"We feel like Australia is our big brother, they're like a neighbour to us, they are our defenders," Mr Ega added.