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Australia will secure entry to the Papua New Guinean military facilities and troops under a recently concluded pact that will see both nations support one another if either is under attack.

“Australia remains our preferred security ally, and this is understood... Our broader relationships remain intact,” affirmed the nation's head of state.

The pact will enable as many as 10,000 Papua New Guineans to join the Australian Defence Force. They will also have the choice to obtain Australian citizenship.

Agreement Specifics

Dubbed the Pukpuk Pact (signifying "the crocodile" in local dialect), the mutual pact is the newest in a series of agreements concluded among Pacific nations and nations competing for a military influence in the Pacific zone.

This agreement possesses significant force and, similar to the crocodile, its strength speaks of the joint capability and preparation of the military for conflict.

A military assault on either country would be “a risk to mutual safety” so both should “act to meet the common danger”.

Enhanced Collaboration

This agreement also encompassed expanded partnership around cyberspace and electromagnetic warfare.

Previously, the national security leader noted that the deal would mean that Australian and PNG forces would be “fully combined”.

• First, to curb external influence in the nation by guaranteeing it does not have the same level of access to resources.
• Second, to address Australia's recent difficulties building defence numbers.
• In conclusion, the pact also sends a message to international actors.

The advantages of the treaty were three-pronged, according to a regional security expert.

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

Regional Implications

The deal represents an element in a termed hub and spokes network of defence pacts in the Pacific – with Australia at the core and Pacific states being the allies.

There are concerns that the treaty could weaken PNG's ‘friends to all, enemies to none’ diplomatic stance by linking PNG with Australia on all security matters.

Each party need more precise understanding on the expectations, obligations and assurances.

The deal also included annual joint military exercises which were about “strategic messaging,” to “demonstrate combined operational readiness and rapid response to regional dangers”.

The pact would help enhance PNG's army, bringing a major uplift in both material and morale.