Australia, Papua New Guinea to Seal ‘Historic’ Defence Pact Amid Rising Regional Tensions

Australia and Papua New Guinea (PNG) are preparing to sign what officials have described as a “historic” defence treaty that will reshape security cooperation between the two neighbours.

The agreement is scheduled to be signed this week as part of PNG’s 50th Independence Day celebrations, marking a major step in the long-standing partnership between both countries.

Under the treaty, the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and the PNG Defence Force (PNGDF) will move towards greater integration, with provisions for interoperability, joint training, and shared use of defence facilities.

The deal is also expected to allow personnel from each country to serve in the other’s military, with pathways for PNG nationals in the ADF to gain Australian citizenship.

According to draft details, the pact will include mutual defence commitments. Both nations would be obliged to consult and support one another in the face of threats to sovereignty or political independence, a clause similar in language to NATO’s Article 4 on mutual consultation.

Australia is also set to provide additional military hardware and training to modernise the PNGDF, which has long struggled with underfunding and capacity gaps.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who arrived in Port Moresby ahead of the signing, said the treaty underscores Australia’s commitment to the Pacific.

“This is a partnership of equals, rooted in shared history and shared security. We are strengthening our region together,” he noted.

For PNG, the agreement offers the promise of stronger defence capabilities and greater protection amid growing regional uncertainty.

Prime Minister James Marape hailed the pact as a “sovereignty-enhancing deal” that would give his country confidence in protecting its borders.

However, the deal has not been without controversy. Some critics in PNG fear that deep military integration could dilute the nation’s independence, raising questions about sovereignty and constitutional implications.

Analysts also warn that closer alignment with Canberra may complicate Port Moresby’s delicate balancing act with China, a major economic partner.

The defence treaty comes against a backdrop of intensifying geopolitical competition in the Pacific, where China has sought to expand its influence through security and economic agreements.

For Australia, cementing its role as PNG’s key defence partner is seen as a strategic move to safeguard its northern approaches and maintain stability in the region.

The treaty, once signed, will be the most comprehensive security arrangement between the two countries since PNG gained independence in 1975, setting the stage for a new era of military cooperation in the Pacific.