Papua New Guinea Defence Force

Papua New Guinea Defence Force
Papua New Guinea Defence Force emblem
Founded	1973
Service branches	Land Element Maritime Element Air Element
Headquarters	Murray Barracks, Port Moresby
Website	defence.gov.pg
Leadership
The Minister for Defence	Dr. Billy Joseph [1]
Commander of the PNGDF	Rear Admiral Philip Polewara [2]
Personnel
Military age	20 [3]
Conscription	No
Available for military service	1,568,210 males, age 16–49 (2010 est. [4] ), 1,478,965 females, age 16–49 (2010 est. [4] )
Fit for military service	1,130,951 males, age 16–49 (2010 est. [4] ), 1,137,753 females, age 16–49 (2010 est. [4] )
Reaching military age annually	67,781 males (2010 est. [4] ), 65,820 females (2010 est. [4] )
Active personnel	3,600 [5]
Expenditure
Budget	$US113.1 million (2014) [6]
Percent of GDP	1.9 (2014) [6]
Industry
Foreign suppliers	Australia China France India Japan United Kingdom United States
Related articles
History	First World War Asian and Pacific theatre of World War I Battle of Bita Paka Second World War Pacific War New Guinea campaign Cold War Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation Coconut War Bougainville Civil War
Ranks	Ranks

The Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) is the military organisation responsible for the defence of Papua New Guinea. It originated from the Australian Army land forces of the territory of Papua New Guinea before independence, coming into being in January 1973 and having its antecedents in the Pacific Islands Regiment. The PNGDF is a small force, numbering around 3,600 personnel, and consists of a Land Element, an Air Element and a Maritime Element. It is a joint force tasked with defending Papua New Guinea and its territories against external attack, as well as having secondary functions including national-building and internal security tasks.

Defence accounts for less than 2% of GDP, while also receiving significant assistance and training support from Australia, New Zealand, the United States, and other nations.

The PNGDF Land Element includes two infantry battalions, an engineer battalion, a signal squadron, an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit, and a preventive medicine platoon. The Air Element is a small air wing operating three light transport aircraft and two leased helicopters. The Maritime Element consists of four Guardian-class patrol boats and two landing crafts. The army is under the direct command of Headquarters PNGDF, while the air wing and navy have their own commanding officers. The PNGDF does not have a Commander-in-Chief but rather a Commander who advises the Minister for Defence. ^{[7] [8]} Allegiance is sworn to the King of Papua New Guinea, Presently Charles III, ^[9] and the realm of Papua New Guinea. The PNGDF is under the control of the National Executive Council through the Minister for Defence. ^[8]

History

The PNGDF originated from the Australian Army land forces of the Territory of Papua New Guinea before independence, coming into being in January 1973 and having its antecedents in the Pacific Islands Regiment. At independence it numbered 3,750 all ranks, while another 465 Australian personnel augmented the force to assist in training and technical support. ^[10] In the mid-1990s, the PNG economy was in crisis with financial support provided by the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on the proviso of economic reform with the first phase in 1996 to include defence. Successive attempts to reduce the size of the PNGDF in response to the country's economic problems provoked fierce resistance. In 2000, the World Bank and the IMF provided loans with economic reform conditions and a Commonwealth Eminent Persons Group (CEPG) report recommended to government that the PNGDF strength be reduced by more than half. In March 2001, soldiers mutinied after learning the government had approved the CEPG report. ^[11] The government capitulated after 10 days to the mutineers' demands, agreeing not to cut the army's strength. However, in 2002 it was announced that the PNGDF would be reduced from 4,000 to around 2,100 personnel. In early 2004 the government reaffirmed its commitment to implement cuts within the armed forces, with a definitive restructuring expected to take place. Chief of Staff Captain Aloysius Tom Ur told troops in January 2004 that the 2004 strength of 3,000 would be reduced by one-third, and that during 2004, the force's personnel branch would merge with the support branch into a new organisation. ^[12] Ultimately the reduction-in-size target was reached in 2009. ^[13]

PNGDF soldiers at Taurama Barracks

PNGDF capability is considered modest, with the army facing significant problems including a chronic budget crisis, a lack of experience in conventional operations, limited ability to be deployed independently overseas as well as internal tensions. The air force and navy also suffer major equipment and funding shortfalls—to the point of sometimes almost being grounded—and are both too small and poorly equipped to take part in operations overseas. Indeed, the entire PNGDF is badly in need of new equipment. ^[14] Australia, New Zealand, France and several other nations are assisting in the training and the professionalisation of the PNGDF, while others—including Germany and China—provide budgetary assistance. Australia's aid for the PNGDF is currently worth AUD9.2 million with an additional AUD40 million committed the reform programme. AUD20 million was committed initially, mainly for paying off redundant personnel. A second tranche of AUD20 million is for the refurbishment of barracks over five years (AUD5 million). As of January 2006 29 Australian defence personnel were engaged in training and advising in areas including policy, management, maritime, infantry, engineering, personnel, logistic and finance areas of assistance. Two more Australian personnel were seconded as advisers on logistics and personnel matters in August 2006, while an Australian bureaucrat from the Department of Defence is posted to the PNG defence department. "Australia is particularly interested in supporting Port Moresby in the areas of counter-terrorism, maritime patrols and defence organisation structures and procedures." ^[14]

During its history the PNGDF has sent 400 troops to assist the Vanuatu government put down a secessionist revolt in 1980 and was called out in aid to the civil power in Port Moresby in 1983. It has also conducted operations against the OPM (Organisasi Papua Merdeka or Free Papua Movement), based in Irian Barat, and which had been involved fighting the Indonesian armed forces. From 1989 to 1997 the PNGDF was involved in fighting the secessionist Bougainville Revolutionary Army (BRA) on Bougainville and Buka. During these operations the PNGDF was criticised for its treatment of civilians, human rights violations and the use of mercenaries. ^[10] More recently, following the passage of a constitutional amendment allowing the stationing of the PNGDF on foreign soil, 80 personnel joined the Australia-led Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI) in July 2003. As of 2008 PNGDF personnel remain in the Solomon Islands as part of the scaled down, rotational Pacific contingent. ^[14]

Admiral Patrick Walsh, commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, reviews a Papua New Guinea Defence Force Honor guard

Today, the PNGDF is a small force numbering around 2,100 personnel, and consisting of a Land Element, an Air Element and a Maritime Element. It is a joint force tasked with defending Papua New Guinea and its territories against external attack, as well as having secondary functions including national-building and internal security tasks. Defence accounts for up to 4% of government expenditure, while also receiving significant assistance and training support from Australia, New Zealand, the United States and other nations. ^[10] The army is under the direct command of Headquarters PNGDF, while the air force and navy have their own commanding officers. The PNGDF is under the political oversight of the Minister for Defence. ^[14]

On 26 January 2012, military personnel under the command of the retired officer Colonel Yaura Sasa purported to arrest the commander of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force, Brigadier General Francis Agwi. It was reported that former Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare had ordered the operation in relation to his attempts to regain the leadership of the country, and had offered to appoint Sasa the commander of the PNGDF. ^[15]

In 2013, the Defence White Paper 2013 was released which called for the size of the PNGDF to be increased from 2,600 personnel to 5,000 personnel by 2017 back to the pre Reform Program level in 2002. ^[13] Defence spending under the White Paper was to increase from 1.45% of GDP to 3% of GDP by 2017. ^[16] The PNGDF was to be modernised under the White Paper with the Land Force to be reequipped with new weapons and equipment and vehicles, the Maritime Element was to acquire new vessels and the Air Element was to restore its fix wing fleet to flying status and acquire new aircraft. ^[17] In 2017, the Post-Courier reported that the White Paper objectives to modernise and reequip the PNGDF had not been achieved as defence spending had remained the same due to economic challenges. ^{[18] [19] [20]}

Land Element

A PNGDF soldier in Kumul uniform with an M16 rifle

The Land Element is the PNGDFs army land force, being primarily a light infantry force capable of conducting low-tempo operations only; it is the senior of the three services. The army has its origins in the Royal Pacific Islands Regiment, which was formed in 1951 as a component of the Australian Army. Since independence, the army has become an indigenous organisation with its own traditions and culture. Nonetheless, the force has adopted foreign ideas on the roles and needs of an armed force, leading to proposals for armour, artillery and attack helicopters. However, the army faces severe budgetary problems and has therefore had virtually no money for operations, training, and maintenance or capital equipment upgrades. In this context, proposals to develop the army into a well equipped, mobile conventional land force, are unlikely in the near to medium term. ^[14] The army's role is to protect against external aggression, provide for internal security in support of the police, and to carry out civic action and relief operations when required. The engineer battalion is used for civic action with construction and reticulation capabilities, while the two infantry battalions also constructs roads, bridges and other infrastructure in regions where commercial companies are unwilling to work for security reasons. ^[14]

The army has no significant experience in conventional operations and according to Janes it has limited ability to deploy overseas independently; "it is not effective in internal security operations and has often shown scant regard for political authority. This was illustrated in August 2006 when the PNG government declared a state of emergency in the Southern Highlands province where a proposed gas pipeline has been planned. Troops were being deployed to restore law, order and good governance in the province. In these latter circumstances it has proven to be more of a threat to the state than an asset. For reasons of cultural diversity and rivalry, terrain and transport difficulties and the reduction and retaining of the smaller army—a successful army coup would be extremely unlikely." ^[14]

During the 1990s the army's main role was internal security and counter-insurgency operations in Bougainville, where a secessionist movement was attempting to bring independence. This operation—which lasted at varying levels of intensity until 1997—revealed the army's ineffectiveness, lack of training and indiscipline. The army was accused of significant human rights violations and there were indications it was operating independently of the government. Indeed, in June 1991 Colonel L. Nuia was dismissed for killing civilians and using Australian-donated helicopters to dump their bodies at sea, while in September 1993 the PNG government offered to pay compensation for Solomon Island civilians killed by PNGDF forces who had pursued BRA members across the border. The fighting in Bougainville also exposed weaknesses in command, training, discipline and force structure. ^[10] Later the army was also involved in the controversial Sandline affair of 1997, when the PNGDF Commander—Jerry Singirok—blocked the use of mercenaries to destroy the revolt on Bougainville. The current restructure has focused on the removal of men of a quality now judged to have been unsuitable for the Bougainville campaign and since the end of operations there the army has, with Australian assistance, attempted to reform all aspects of its training and administration. ^[14]

In the early 21st century terrorism has become increasingly a concern for Papua New Guinea policy-makers and one of the major objectives of the army for 2008 is to prepare itself to deter any attack on its sovereignty but more particularly to terrorist attacks. Equally, although the army has no history of peace support contributions, its involvement in RAMSI has proven a catalyst to determine how it could train for and be used in UN operations. Despite these efforts the army is still not in a position to provide forces with the appropriate "level of training and discipline" without significant risk, according to Janes. To be sure, however, "the army command views such deployment as their contribution to the 'economic well-being of PNG' and a way of maintaining any semblance of a proficient armed force." ^[14]

As of 2015, women are permitted to serve in non-combat roles in the PNGDF's Land Element. ^[21]

Current organisation

A PNGDF soldier in 2017

The Land Element is directly commanded by the Commander PNGDF, Brigadier General Gilbert Toropo, and has been significantly reduced in size due to restructuring (from 3,500 to 1,800 as of late 2007) and currently comprises the following: ^[14]

• Command HQ (Port Moresby);
• two light Infantry battalions of the Royal Pacific Islands Regiment (1 RPIR at Port Moresby and 2 RPIR at Wewak);
• Long Range Reconnaissance Unit;
• one Engineer battalion (Lae);
• Signals Squadron (Port Moresby);
• EOD unit;
• Preventative Health Platoon; and
• Defence Academy (Lae) ^[22]

A ceremonial guard was established in 2015. ^[23]

The army's main bases include Port Moresby, Wewak and Lae, while company strength outstations are located at Kiunga and Vanimo. Communications centres are found at all of these locations and also on Manus island. Papua New Guinea has large areas of uninhabited jungle suitable for training. A training depot is maintained at Goldie River near Port Moresby and at Lae. ^[14]

Historically the army has been poorly trained; however Australia has recently made this the focus of the Enhanced Defence Partnership programme, supplying training, advisors and equipment. New Zealand is also contributing training assistance under its Mutual Assistance Programme. Equally army personnel have in the past trained with the French in New Caledonia, while US Special Forces have occasionally undertaken joint exercises in PNG. At present, however, over 90 per cent of the budget is dedicated to pay and retrenchments, and as a consequence there is little left to fund training exercises. While most soldiers are not currently formally qualified for their rank, there are determined moves to professionalise the army after the restructure is complete. Indeed, the army has an officer training academy and a small trade training capacity, which is being boosted by Australian personnel. A small number of officer candidates also undertake training at the Royal Military College – Duntroon, in Canberra. Australian procedures are followed as a matter of course, and their influence is increasing as more joint training exercises are held. ^[14]

Long Range Reconnaissance Unit

The Long Range Reconnaissance Unit (LRRU) is a small infantry unit responsible for providing small reconnaissance teams for patrols in tropical rainforests, wetlands and in the highlands and counter terrorist capabilities. ^[24] In 1996, the Special Forces Unit (SFU) was formed which was later renamed the LRRU. ^[25] The LRRU has trained with the Australian Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) and the New Zealand Special Air Service (NZSAS) in PNG in its reconnaissance role for many years. ^[26] In 2014, the LRRU commenced developing a counter terrorist capability for the APEC Summit held in 2018, it received new equipment in preparation for this. ^[27] The LRRU then provided a response capability for the Pacific Games in July 2015, with training provided by Australian Army Special Operations Command units and the NZSAS. ^{[28] [29]}

The Warrior Wing established in the 1990s by U.S. Special Forces consists of experienced LRRU soldiers who provide reconnaissance training and coordinate exercises with foreign units. ^[30]

Equipment

The army is only lightly equipped—possessing no artillery, heavy weapons, anti-armour or anti-aircraft weapons. It is chronically short of equipment, maintaining just a few mortars, small arms and limited communications equipment. Because mobility is severely impaired due to PNG's mountainous geography, heavy rain forest, and the nation's underdeveloped transport infrastructure, artillery is not used by the New Guinea Defence Force. ^[14]

Regardless, while the army's equipment remains largely outdated and inadequate, some new equipment was procured in late 2003 was commissioned during 2004. PNGDF has fielded a new digital satellite communications network, enabling it to communicate with its personnel on the Solomon Islands, stationed there as part of PNG's commitment to the international intervention force. The army can also now communicate securely with its personnel located at seven fixed ground stations—the barracks at Murray, Taurama, Goldie, Lombrum, Igam, Vanimo and Moem. The system also includes mobile units installed on small trucks which communicate from remote locations via the fixed ground stations. Equally in June 2007, the army received 32 new HF Barrett communication radios, at a cost of PGK800,000, in order to assist with providing security for the 2007 election. ^[14]

The security of the PNGDF's weapons is also an issue, and it is alleged that various mortars, guns and small arms have been used in tribal conflicts and robberies. In response more secure armouries have been provided by Australia, however weapon security remains elusive. Further attempts to improve weapons security were implemented during 2005 with fortnightly weapon checks and making unit commanders accountable for the return of weapons, with serious action threatened for any defaults. Also, soldiers are now forbidden to carry weapons in public without specific permission. ^[14]

The Chinese government donated 40 military vehicles in December 2015. ^[31] In 2017–2018, China donated armoured vehicles, troop carriers, buses, mobile kitchen vans and ambulances. ^{[32] [33] [34] [35]} Ten armoured vehicles were donated including four Norinco WZ-551 wheeled infantry fighting vehicles. ^{[32] [36]}

In May 2020, Australia donated 28 DJI Phantom drones to patrol its border with Indonesia. ^[37]

Small arms

FN MAG heavy machine gun

Name	Origin	Type	Notes
Pistols
Hi-Power [38]	Belgium	Semi-automatic pistol	Obtained from Australia. [39]
Colt M1911 [38]	United States	Semi-automatic pistol
Submachine guns
F1 [38]	Australia	Submachine gun
FN P90 [38]	Belgium	Submachine gun
Sterling [40]	United Kingdom	Submachine gun
Rifles
FAMAS [38] [41]	France	Assault rifle
M16A2 [40]	United States	Assault rifle	Standard service rifle of the PNGDF. [40]
L85A1 [38]	United Kingdom	Assault rifle
SAR 80 [38]	Singapore	Assault rifle
SR 88 [40]	Singapore	Assault rifle
Steyr AUG [40]	Austria	Assault rifle
Galil Sniper [38]	Israel	Assault rifle	A variant of the IMI Galil rifle.
HK 33E/79 [38]	Germany	Assault rifle
HK G3 [40]	Germany	Battle rifle
L1A2 SLR [40]	Australia	Battle rifle
Lee–Enfield [38]	United Kingdom	Bolt-action rifle
XM-15 [38] [40]	United States	Semi-automatic rifle
Machine guns
L2A1 [38]	Australia	Light machine gun	Heavy-barrelled variant of the L1A1 SLR. [38]
Bren L4A4 [38]	United Kingdom	Light machine gun	Sourced from Australia. [38]
Ultimax 100 [40]	Singapore	Light machine gun	Ultimax 100 Mk.2. [38]
FN MAG [40]	Belgium	GPMG	MAG-58 variant. [40]
M60 [40]	United States	GPMG	Sourced from Australia. [40]
Browning M2HB [38]	United States	Heavy machine gun
Explosive weapons
RPG-7 [38]	Soviet Union	Rocket-propelled grenade
M203 [38]	United States	Grenade launcher

Vehicles

Name	Origin	Type	Quantity	Notes
WZ-551	China	Infantry fighting vehicle	4	Donated by China [36]

Air Element

PNGDF roundel

The Air Element is the air force branch of the PNGDF, operating a small number of light aircraft and rotary wing assets in support of army operations. Like the PNGDF in general the air force suffers from chronic equipment shortages and underfunding, but probably even more so than the other two branches. ^[42] The role of the air force is to support army operations with transport, air re-supply and medical evacuation capabilities. In future it may also be used to bolster border security and conduct maritime surveillance missions. ^[42]

Current organisation

The Air Element is commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Nancy Wii. ^[43] It consists of the Air Transport Wing and has only one squadron—the Air Transport Squadron—with a strength of about 100 personnel, being based at Jackson Airport in Port Moresby. In recent years it has suffered from significant serviceability issues. Indeed, it only became airborne again in 2005 for the first time in five years, as funding shortages resulted in the small transport aircraft fleet being grounded for an extended period. By January 2006, one CN-235, one Arava and one UH-1H Iroquois helicopter had been made operational, with single examples of each of those three types also being returned to service by 2007. ^[42]

A 2003 review recommended the air force's strength be reduced to 65 personnel, a figure which the PNGDF is working towards as part of its current restructuring programme. By the end of 2004, the air force was suffering from an acute shortage of pilots, but recruitment in 2005 succeeded in raising the pilot pool to 10 by January 2006. ^[42] After several years when no training was undertaken pilots are now sent to Singapore and Indonesia for instruction on simulators. Given its limited operational activity and the lack of combat equipment, little thought has been given to tactical doctrine however. ^[42]

Since 2012, the Australian government has facilitated the lease of two helicopters from Hevilift PNG to provide a rotary wing capability which in 2016 was extended until 2019. ^{[44] [45]} In February 2016, a contract was signed with New Zealand company Pacific Aerospace for four PAC P-750 XSTOL aircraft for search and rescue and surveillance and two PAC CT/4 Airtrainer aircraft. ^{[46] [47] [48]} One PAC P-750 was delivered in 2018 and in 2021 with the assistance of the Royal Australian Air Force its airworthiness was restored. ^{[49] [50]} In 2023, Australia donated two new PAC P-750s to the Air Element. ^{[51] [52]}

Current inventory

A PNGDF CN-235 at RAAF Fairbairn in Australia

Aircraft	Origin	Type	In service	Notes
Transport
PAC P-750	New Zealand	utility	3 [53]
CASA CN-235	Spain / Indonesia	SAR / utility		2 aircraft not in service [54] [55] [56]
Helicopters
Bell 212	United States	utility	2 [57]	under lease contract

Retired aircraft

Previous aircraft operated by Papua New Guinea consisted of the Douglas C-47, GAF Nomad, IAI-201 Arava, and the Bell UH-1 Huey helicopter. ^[58] The UH-1H Iroquois helicopters and IAI Arava fixed-wing aircraft were to be retired in 2016. ^[59]

Maritime Element

The Maritime element is the naval branch of the PNGDF, being mainly a light patrol force and is responsible for defending local waters only. It too suffers from chronic equipment shortages and underfunding. ^[60] The navy has three primary roles: support for military operations, EEZ protection, and heavy logistic support for the army and civil society. ^[60]

Current organisation

Naval Ensign

The navy is commanded by Commander Sebastian Maru ^[61] and consists of approximately 200 personnel ^[62] and is based in Port Moresby (HMPNGS Basilisk) and Manus Island (HMPNGS Tarangau) and currently comprises the following:

• Four Guardian-class patrol boats (supplied by Australia) ^{[63] [64]}
• One Balikpapan-class landing craft (transferred from Royal Australian Navy) ^[65]
• One Malaysian built landing craft (supplied by Australia) ^[66]

According to Janes, the navy is badly underfunded and the task of patrolling such a large Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is too great and they are heavily reliant for information about the presence of foreign ships on daily reports supplied by US satellite surveillance. The main concern is illegal tuna fishing by Japanese vessels. ^[60] Australia continues to assist the navy patrol its waters and in the training of personnel. A Royal Australian Navy Officer has been seconded to PNG's National Co-ordination Centre and joint exercises are held regularly to review and strengthen current maritime border surveillance. The Australian Border Force also takes part in cross-border patrols. As a matter of course, Australian doctrine and procedures are used. ^[60]

In November 2018, Australia donated to PNG the first of four Austal-built Guardian-class patrol boats to replace the four Pacific-class patrol boats donated to PNG in the late-1980s through the Pacific Patrol Boat Program. ^{[67] [68] [69]} The first Guardian-class boat HMPNGS Ted Diro was commissioned in February 2019. ^[70] In 2018, the first Pacific-class boat was decommissioned with the remaining three decommissioned in 2021. ^{[71] [72]} In June 2022, PNG commissioned HMPNGS Cape Gloucester, a Malaysian-built landing craft donated to PNG by Australia. ^{[66] [73]} Cape Gloucester replaced two Balikpapan-class landing craft: HMPNGS Salamaua decommissioned in 2020 and HMPNGS Buna decommissioned in 2021. ^{[74] [75] [73]} HMPNGS Lakekamu, a Balikpapan-class landing craft donated to PNG by Australia in 2014, remains in service as a training ship in addition to transporting equipment. ^{[76] [77]}

Australia is funding a A$175 million upgrade to the Lombrum Naval Base on Manus Island with construction commencing in mid-2020. ^{[78] [79] [80]}

Vessels

HMPNGS Francis Agwi at Austal shipyard in 2021

Vessel	Origin	Type	Notes
HMPNGS Lakekamu	Australia	Landing Craft	Balikpapan class
HMPNGS Cape Gloucester (L21)	Malaysia	Landing Craft
HMPNGS Ted Diro (P401) [63]	Australia	Patrol Boat	Guardian Class
HMPNGS Rochus Lokinap (P402) [63]	Australia	Patrol Boat	Guardian Class
HMPNGS Francis Agwi (P403) [63]	Australia	Patrol Boat	Guardian Class
HMPNGS Gilbert Toropo (P404) [64]	Australia	Patrol Boat	Guardian Class

Ranks

Further information: Papua New Guinea Defence Force ranks

Notes

1. "Hon. Dr. Billy Joseph, PhD, MP". Parliament of Papua New Guinea. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
2. Finkeo, Marjorie (14 June 2024). "New appointments in PNGDF". Post Courier. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
3. "Recruitment". Papua New Defence Force. Archived from the original on 25 November 2016. Retrieved 24 November 2016.
4. "CIA – The World Factbook – Papua New Guinea". The World Factbook . Central Intelligence Agency. Archived from the original on 6 April 2011. Retrieved 17 November 2007.
5. International Institute for Strategic Studies (25 February 2021). The Military Balance 2021. London: Routledge. p. 293. ISBN   9781032012278.
6. Defence Intelligence Organisation 2015, p. 34.
7. "Office of The Commander PNGDF". Papua New Guinea Defence Force. Archived from the original on 25 November 2016. Retrieved 24 November 2016.
8. "Constitution of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea (s 201(1))". Pacific Islands Legal Information Institute. Archived from the original on 26 August 2012. Retrieved 29 August 2012.
9. "Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
10. Dennis et al 1995, p. 455.
11. Colvin, Mark (19 March 2001). "PNG military stand-off continues despite Govt backdown". ABC Radio. Archived from the original on 31 July 2016. Retrieved 24 November 2016.
12. Keith-Reid, Robert (14 January 2004). "Papua New Guinea continues force streamlining". Jane's Defence Weekly . p. 16.
13. Papua New Guinea Defence Organisation 2013, p. 36.
14. "Janes Worlds Armies – Papua New Guinea". Archived from the original on 18 December 2008. Retrieved 5 January 2009.
15. "Dumped prime minister Sir Michael Somare ordered army mutiny". News.com.au. 26 January 2012. Archived from the original on 26 January 2012. Retrieved 26 January 2012.
16. Papua New Guinea Defence Organisation 2013, p. 15.
17. Papua New Guinea Defence Organisation 2013, pp. 43, 45–46, 47–48.
18. Kaiku, Patrick; Hope Boie, Faith (22 December 2023). "Why did PNG sign a Defence Cooperation Agreement with the US?". The Interpreter. Lowy Institute . Retrieved 21 January 2024.
19. "PNGDF report headline in paper misleading: Numa". Post-Courier . 15 December 2017. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
20. "PNG's embarrassing failed Defence White Paper". Post-Courier . 13 December 2017. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
21. "Women in the army". Loop. Archived from the original on 5 July 2015. Retrieved 4 July 2015.
22. "Officer cadet training progressing". Loop PNG. Archived from the original on 28 August 2015. Retrieved 5 August 2015.
23. Gabina, Lorraine (4 December 2015). "PNG Defence Force Year in Review". EM TV News. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
24. "Long Range Reconnaissance Unit". Papua New Guinea Defence Force. Archived from the original on 25 November 2016. Retrieved 25 November 2016.
25. Mou, Freddy (25 March 2017). "PNGDF Unit marks 21st anniversary". Loop PNG. Archived from the original on 14 May 2017. Retrieved 27 May 2017.
26. "PNG-NZ army exercise underway". Pacific Islands News Association. 3 June 2013. Archived from the original on 18 August 2016. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
27. Faiparik, Clifford (1 July 2016). "PNGDF unit needs specialist weapons: Director". The National. Archived from the original on 7 July 2017. Retrieved 27 May 2017.
28. "Sharing skills in PNG" (PDF). Army: The Soldiers' Newspaper. No. 1354. Department of Defence. 2 July 2015. p. 7. ISSN   0729-5685. Archived (PDF) from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
29. "Long Range Recon Unit Assembled For Pacific Games". EMTV. 2 June 2015. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
30. "USARPAC Commander honors Army History throughout South Pacific Region in Goodwill Tour". Defense Video & Imagery Distribution System (Press release). 13 January 2016. Archived from the original on 30 September 2018. Retrieved 28 May 2017.
31. "Military Vehicles Still at Main Wharf". Post Courier. 8 January 2016. Retrieved 27 December 2019.
32. "China supports Defence Force with K17.5 million gift". The National. 7 November 2017. Retrieved 27 December 2019.
33. "驻巴布亚新几内亚大使薛冰出席中国援助巴新军用车辆交接仪式". Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Papua New Guinea (Press release) (in Chinese). 6 November 2017. Archived from the original on 14 July 2018.
34. Nara, Alexander (4 October 2019). "PNGDF Distributes Armory". Post Courier. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
35. PNGDF distributes armory and vehicles (Television production). EMTV. 6 October 2019. Archived from the original on 11 December 2021. Retrieved 27 December 2019.
36. Connolly, Peter (2020). "The Belt and Road comes to Papua New Guinea: Chinese geoeconomics with Melanesian characteristics?". Security Challenges. 16 (4). Institute for Regional Security: 59. ISSN   1833-1459. JSTOR   26976257 . Retrieved 24 April 2023.
37. "PNGDF demonstrates use of drones by the reconnaissance unit". Post Courier. 26 May 2020. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
38. Alpers, Philip (2010). Karp, Aaron (ed.). The Politics of Destroying Surplus Small Arms: Inconspicuous Disarmament. Abingdon-on-Thames: Routledge Books. pp. 168–169. ISBN   978-0-415-49461-8.
39. Archived 15 December 2010 at the Wayback Machine
40. Capie, David (2004). Under the Gun: The Small Arms Challenge in the Pacific. Wellington: Victoria University Press. pp. 64–65. ISBN   978-0864734532.
41. "PNG's mutineers trade guns for amnesty". The Australian. 31 January 2012.
42. "Janes Worlds Airforces – Papua New Guinea". Archived from the original on 12 March 2006. Retrieved 5 January 2009.
43. Wayne, Hilda (1 March 2022). "PNG Defence Force appoints first female air wing commander". Pacific Beat . Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
44. "PNGDF helicopter leasing project – contract signed". Australian High Commission – Papua New Guinea (Press release). 13 April 2012. Archived from the original on 21 September 2016. Retrieved 24 November 2016.
45. "24th Australia – Papua New Guinea Ministerial Forum – Joint Communique". Department Foreign Affairs and Trade (Press release). 3 March 2016. Archived from the original on 25 November 2016. Retrieved 24 November 2016.
46. "New Aircrafts[sic] for PNGDF". Papua New Guinea Defence Force. Archived from the original on 25 November 2016. Retrieved 24 November 2016.
47. "PNGDF signs deal for six new aircrafts[sic]". Pacific Aerospace (Press release). 2 March 2016. Archived from the original on 13 March 2017. Retrieved 12 March 2017.
48. Mou, Freddy (23 February 2016). "PNGDF signs deal for six new aircrafts[sic]". The Loop. Archived from the original on 25 November 2016. Retrieved 24 November 2016.
49. Wokasup, Melissa (22 September 2021). "PAC P-750 takes flight". Loop Pacific. Retrieved 19 January 2024.^{[ permanent dead link ‍]}
50. "Boosting Papua New Guinea's aviation capability". Department of Defence (Press release). 2 March 2023. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
51. Assistant Minister for Defence Matt Thistlethwaite (2 November 2023). "A new milestone in the defence partnership between Australia and Papua New Guinea". Department of Defence Ministers. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
52. "Two 750XL aircraft bound for Papua New Guinea Defence Force". NZAero (Press release). 29 March 2023. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
53. "World Air Forces 2021" . Flightglobal Insight. 2021. Retrieved 25 June 2021.
54. Felton, Ben (12 December 2022). "PNG seeks to resurrect languishing CN-235 transports". Shephard. Shephard Press Limited. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
55. Kellerton, Marysila (5 August 2021). "PNGDF CASA Engine Returned". Loop PNG. Trend Media. Archived from the original on 19 January 2024. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
56. Waeda, Julianna (25 June 2015). "PNGDF welcome back CASA plane". Loop PNG. Trend Media. Retrieved 20 January 2024.^{[ permanent dead link ‍]}
57. "Aircraft of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force". adf-serials.com.au. Retrieved 4 December 2017.
58. "World Air Forces 1997 pg. 58". flightglobal.com. Archived from the original on 12 March 2018. Retrieved 4 May 2015.
59. "Commander PNG Defence Force Statement of Intent for 2016" (PDF). Papua New Guinea Defence Force. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 November 2016. Retrieved 24 November 2016.
60. "Janes Worlds Navies – Papua New Guinea" . Retrieved 5 January 2009.^{[ permanent dead link ‍]}
61. More HMPNGS needed (Television production). EMTV. 23 November 2023. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
62. "CIA – The World Factbook – Papua New Guinea". The World Factbook . Central Intelligence Agency. Archived from the original on 9 January 2021.
63. Finkeo, Marjorie (13 February 2023). "One More Vessel for Defence Force". Post Courier. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
64. Minister for Defence Richard Marles; Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy; Minister for Defence Personnel Matt Keogh (4 October 2023). "Fourth Guardian-class Patrol Boat delivered to Papua New Guinea". Department of Defence Ministers (Press release). Retrieved 19 January 2024.
65. Defence Minister Senator David Johnston (4 December 2014). "Minister for Defence – Defence Minister welcomes the commissioning of HMPNGS Lakekamu". Department of Defence (Press release). Archived from the original on 15 December 2014. Retrieved 12 March 2017.
66. Felton, Benjamin (25 May 2022). "Australia Supplies New Ships To Papua New Guinea". Naval News. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
67. Minister for Defence Industry (31 July 2017). "Pacific Patrol Boat Milestone". Department of Defence (Press release). Archived from the original on 22 September 2017. Retrieved 22 September 2017.
68. Valenti, Dr. Alix (21 December 2016). "PNGDF Plans Expansion". Asian Military Review. Archived from the original on 23 September 2017. Retrieved 23 September 2017.
69. Minister for Defence Christopher Pyne; Minister for Defence Industry Steven Ciobo (30 November 2018). "First Guardian Class patrol boat gifted to PNG". Department of Defence Ministers (Press release). Archived from the original on 22 April 2023. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
70. West, LT Sarah (12 February 2019). "Pacific security bolstered as first Guardian class Patrol Boat commissioned". Royal Australian Navy. Archived from the original on 12 February 2019. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
71. "Her Majesty Papua New Guinean Ship 'Rabaul'". EMTV Online. 4 August 2018. Retrieved 22 April 2023– via Facebook.
72. "Vessels decommissioned". The National. 19 April 2021. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
73. Kellerton, Marysila (15 June 2022). "HMPNGS Cape Gloucester". Loop PNG. Archived from the original on 22 April 2023. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
74. Yafoi, Melisha (22 June 2020). "Naval ship decommissioned". Post Courier. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
75. "Former navy officers recall time on board Buna". The National. 28 June 2021. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
76. Department of Defence (16 January 2018). "Labuan lives on through Lakekamu". Royal Australian Navy. Archived from the original on 16 January 2018. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
77. Zarriga, Miriam (27 June 2022). "Armoured Vehicle Delivery". Post Courier. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
78. Prime Minister Scott Morrison (1 November 2018). "Joint Statement between Australia and Papua New Guinea". Prime Minister of Australia (Press release). Archived from the original on 6 October 2020. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
79. "The Joint Initiative at Lombrum Naval Base (PNG)". Department of Defence. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
80. Faa, Marian (16 June 2021). "Australian Defence Force to fund $175 million major upgrade for Papua New Guinea's naval base on Manus Island". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 21 January 2024.

References

• Defence Intelligence Organisation (March 2015). Defence Economic Trends 2015 (PDF). Canberra: Department of Defence. ISSN   1835-3878. DIO Reference Aid 15–003. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 August 2015.
• Dennis, Peter; et al. (1995). The Oxford Companion to Australian Military History. Melbourne: Oxford University Press. ISBN   0-19-553227-9.
• Dorney, Sean (2000). Papua New Guinea: People, Politics, and History since 1975. Sydney: ABC Books. ISBN   0-09-169461-2.
• International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) (2012). The Military Balance 2012. London: IISS. ISSN   0459-7222.
• May, Ronald James (1993). The changing role of the military in Papua New Guinea (PDF). Canberra: Australian National University. Strategic and Defence Studies Centre. ISBN   0731518470. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 March 2017. Retrieved 23 March 2017.
• Mench, Paul (1976). The role of the Papua New Guinea defence force (PDF) (Development Studies Centre - Monograph no.2. ed.). Canberra: Australian National University. ISBN   0909150109. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 February 2017. Retrieved 23 March 2017.
• Papua New Guinea Defence Organisation (2013). "Defence White Paper 2013" (PDF). Papua New Guinea Defence Force. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 November 2016. Retrieved 24 November 2016.
• Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence (1984). Australia's Defence Cooperation with its Neighbours in the Asian-Pacific Region. Canberra: Commonwealth of Australia. ISBN   0644037202 . Retrieved 23 March 2017.

Further reading

• Robie, David (29 November 1988). "The Silent Border Struggle". The Dominion . Wellington.
• Dibb, Paul; Nicholas, Rhondda (1996). Restructuring the Papua New Guinea Defence Force: Strategic Analysis and Force Structure Principles for a Small State. Canberra: Strategic and Defence Studies Centre, Australian National University. ISBN   073152490X.

External links

• Media related to Papua New Guinea Defence Force at Wikimedia Commons
• Official website
• "PNG Defence Organisation - new official PNGDF website". Archived from the original on 27 December 2016. Retrieved 24 November 2016. Website account suspended in 2017.
• Details in 1976 on WikiLeaks