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Australia will secure entry to the Papua New Guinean defence infrastructure and troops under a freshly signed pact that will ensure the two countries provide mutual defense if one faces aggression.

“We have told them that Australia is our security partner of choice and they understand our alliances here... Other aspects of our relations have never been compromised,” stated the nation's head of state.

The pact will enable up to 10,000 nationals of Papua New Guinea to enlist in the Australian Defence Force. They will also have the option to obtain Australian citizenship.

Agreement Specifics

Dubbed the Pukpuk Pact (signifying "the crocodile" in local dialect), the mutual pact is the latest in a line of deals struck between Pacific nations and countries seeking a military influence in the area.

The pact can deliver a strong response and, in the manner of this predator, its bite force speaks of the cooperation and preparation of the military for conflict.

An armed attack on any signatory would be “a threat to the partner's stability” so each must “address the collective risk”.

Deeper Partnership

This agreement also included expanded partnership around online security and electronic combat.

Earlier, the PNG Defence Minister indicated that the treaty would mean that Australian and PNG forces would be “totally integrated”.

• First, to restrict external influence in PNG by guaranteeing it does not have the comparable reach to infrastructure.
• Second, to tackle Australia's recent struggles enlisting new personnel.
• Finally, the deal also demonstrates a stance to other global powers.

The advantages of the agreement were three-pronged, as stated by a regional security expert.

“Papua New Guinea possesses numerous capable nationals eager for these opportunities,” the expert noted, noting that a significant number would be attracted by the prospects of residing in the country and perhaps obtaining citizenship.

Area Impact

The deal represents an element in a so-called hub and spokes network of defence pacts in the region – with the nation at the centre and island nations being the allies.

Some have raised issues that the agreement undermines the nation's non-aligned foreign policy position by linking PNG with Australia on all security matters.

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

The pact also included regular collaborative training which were about “communicating intent,” to “demonstrate combined operational readiness and rapid response to regional dangers”.

This treaty would help update the nation's military, bringing a major uplift in both equipment and morale.