🔗 Share this article

The Australian nation will secure entry to Papua New Guinea's military facilities and troops under a freshly signed agreement that will ensure the two countries come to each other's defence if an armed conflict occurs.

“Australia remains our preferred security ally, and this is understood... Our broader relationships remain intact,” said the Papua New Guinea leader.

This agreement will allow as many as 10,000 nationals of Papua New Guinea to join Australia's military. They will also have the choice to obtain Australian citizenship.

Agreement Specifics

Referred to as the Pukpuk Pact (which translates to "crocodile" in Papua New Guinean pidgin), the mutual pact is the latest in a series of agreements struck between Pacific nations and nations competing for a military influence in the Pacific zone.

The pact possesses significant force and, in the manner of this predator, its bite force speaks of the interoperability and preparedness of the armed forces for war.

Hostile action on either country would be “a threat to the partner's stability” so each must “respond to the shared threat”.

Deeper Partnership

This agreement also encompassed enhanced cooperation around cyberspace and electromagnetic warfare.

In prior statements, the PNG Defence Minister noted that the deal would mean that defence personnel from each country would be “fully combined”.

• To begin with, to curb external influence in PNG by making certain it does not have the comparable reach to facilities.
• Additionally, to resolve Australia's recent difficulties recruiting for its military.
• Lastly, the agreement also communicates a point to other global powers.

The benefits of the agreement were comprising several aspects, per analysis from a regional security expert.

“PNG has an oversupply of able-bodied citizens who are willing to do this kind of work,” they said, adding that numerous individuals would be interested in the prospects of living in Australia and potentially getting Australian citizenship.

Area Impact

The deal forms part of a termed hub and spokes network of defence pacts in the Pacific – with Australia at the heart and regional countries being the partners.

There are concerns that the treaty may compromise PNG's non-aligned diplomatic stance by aligning PNG with Australia on every defence issue.

The two nations need greater clarity on the anticipated outcomes, responsibilities and pledges.

This agreement also included yearly combined drills which were about “strategic messaging,” to “highlight joint defence capacity and swift mobilization against outside risks”.

The pact would help update the defence force, bringing a notable improvement in both equipment and confidence.