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The Australian nation will secure entry to PNG's armed forces bases and personnel under a recently concluded pact that will result in the two countries come to each other's defence if one faces aggression.

“Our primary security collaboration is with Australia, a stance that is acknowledged... No other diplomatic ties have been affected,” affirmed PNG's Prime Minister.

The security treaty will allow up to 10,000 Papua New Guineans to join the nation's armed forces. They will also have the opportunity to obtain Australian citizenship.

Treaty Details

Known as the Pukpuk Treaty (signifying "crocodile" in PNG pidgin), the bilateral agreement is the latest in a succession of treaties forged by regional states and powers seeking a defence footprint in the Pacific zone.

The treaty possesses significant force and, in the manner of this predator, its bite force speaks of the joint capability and preparedness of the defence units for conflict.

Hostile action on one of the nations would be “dangerous to the other's peace and security” so both should “act to meet the common danger”.

Enhanced Collaboration

This agreement also covered expanded partnership around digital domains and spectrum operations.

Earlier, the PNG Defence Minister said that the deal would mean that Australian and PNG forces would be “fully combined”.

• Initially, to curb external influence in PNG by ensuring it does not have the same level of access to infrastructure.
• Furthermore, to address the nation's recent challenges recruiting for its military.
• Finally, the agreement also demonstrates a stance to international actors.

The positive outcomes of the treaty were multi-faceted, per analysis from a regional security expert.

“Papua New Guinea possesses numerous capable nationals eager for these opportunities,” they said, noting that a significant number would be drawn to the possibilities of residing in the country and potentially obtaining citizenship.

Pacific Consequences

This agreement represents an element in a termed hub and spokes network of security agreements in the area – with the nation at the heart and regional countries being the spokes.

There are concerns that the treaty may compromise PNG's ‘friends to all, enemies to none’ diplomatic stance by aligning PNG with its partner on each safety concern.

Each party need greater clarity on the expectations, responsibilities and assurances.

The deal also included regular collaborative training which were about “demonstrating capability,” to “show the interoperability of the forces and their ability to face an external threat in the region and how quickly they can organise themselves and deploy”.

The pact would help update the nation's military, bringing a significant boost in both material and esprit de corps.