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The Australian nation will secure entry to PNG's defence infrastructure and troops under a new agreement that will ensure both nations support one another if an armed conflict occurs.

“Our primary security collaboration is with Australia, a stance that is acknowledged... No other diplomatic ties have been affected,” affirmed the nation's head of state.

The security treaty will permit as many as 10,000 nationals of Papua New Guinea to join the Australian Defence Force. They will also have the option to obtain Australian citizenship.

Pact Provisions

Referred to as the Pukpuk Treaty (which translates to "crocodile" in Papua New Guinean pidgin), the bilateral agreement is the latest in a succession of treaties concluded among countries in the Pacific and countries seeking a security presence in the region.

This agreement has the ability to bite and, in the manner of this predator, its strength demonstrates the joint capability and preparation of the military for war.

An armed attack on one of the nations would be “a threat to the partner's stability” so the two are to “respond to the shared threat”.

Deeper Partnership

The deal also encompassed greater collaboration around digital domains and electronic combat.

In prior statements, the defence official from Papua New Guinea indicated that the deal would mean that the military units of both nations would be “completely unified”.

• To begin with, to restrict outside power in the nation by ensuring it does not have the equivalent entry to infrastructure.
• Second, to tackle Australia's recent challenges recruiting for its military.
• Lastly, the deal also demonstrates a stance to international actors.

The advantages of the agreement were multi-faceted, per analysis from a Pacific affairs specialist.

“Papua New Guinea possesses numerous capable nationals eager for these opportunities,” it was explained, noting that numerous individuals would be attracted by the prospects of living in Australia and possibly obtaining citizenship.

Pacific Consequences

This agreement represents an element in a so-called centralized security framework of security agreements in the area – with the nation at the heart and island nations being the allies.

There are concerns that the treaty may compromise the nation's ‘friends to all, enemies to none’ diplomatic stance by aligning the country with Australia on all security matters.

The two nations need enhanced definition on the foreseen results, responsibilities and assurances.

The deal also included yearly combined drills which were about “communicating intent,” to “demonstrate combined operational readiness and rapid response to regional dangers”.

The agreement would help update the defence force, bringing a significant boost in both material and esprit de corps.