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The Australian nation will gain access to PNG's military facilities and personnel under a freshly signed agreement that will result in each government come to each other's defence if either is under attack.

“Our primary security collaboration is with Australia, a stance that is acknowledged... No other diplomatic ties have been affected,” stated the Papua New Guinea leader.

This agreement will enable as many as 10,000 PNG citizens to serve in the Australian Defence Force. They will also have the opportunity to become Australian citizens.

Treaty Details

Referred to as the Pukpuk Pact (signifying "this reptile" in PNG pidgin), the two-nation deal is the latest in a line of deals forged by countries in the Pacific and nations seeking a defence footprint in the Pacific zone.

The pact has the ability to bite and, in the manner of this predator, its bite force highlights the joint capability and preparedness of the military for hostilities.

Hostile action on one of the nations would be “a threat to the partner's stability” so each must “act to meet the common danger”.

Deeper Partnership

The pact also included greater collaboration around digital domains and electromagnetic warfare.

Earlier, the national security leader noted that the treaty would mean that the military units of both nations would be “fully combined”.

• To begin with, to restrict external influence in PNG by making certain it does not have the same level of access to infrastructure.
• Furthermore, to tackle Australia's recent struggles recruiting for its military.
• Lastly, the deal also demonstrates a stance to other global powers.

The benefits of the treaty were three-pronged, according to a regional security expert.

“Papua New Guinea possesses numerous capable nationals eager for these opportunities,” the expert noted, stating that numerous individuals would be drawn to the possibilities of living in Australia and possibly securing permanent status.

Pacific Consequences

This agreement is a component of a so-called core-and-periphery system of military treaties in the Pacific – with Australia at the core and Pacific states being the partners.

There are concerns that the agreement may compromise PNG's non-aligned diplomatic stance by linking PNG with Australia on all security matters.

Both sides need more precise understanding on the anticipated outcomes, duties and commitments.

The deal also included annual joint military exercises which were about “demonstrating capability,” to “demonstrate combined operational readiness and rapid response to regional dangers”.

The agreement would help modernise the defence force, bringing a notable improvement in both material and esprit de corps.