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The Australian nation will gain access to the Papua New Guinean defence infrastructure and soldiers under a new deal that will ensure the two countries come to each other's defence if one faces aggression.

“Our primary security collaboration is with Australia, a stance that is acknowledged... No other diplomatic ties have been affected,” said the Papua New Guinea leader.

The pact will enable up to 10,000 PNG citizens to join the nation's armed forces. They will also have the option to gain permanent residency in Australia.

Treaty Details

Known as the Pukpuk Treaty (signifying "this reptile" in PNG pidgin), the bilateral agreement is the most recent in a series of agreements concluded among regional states and nations competing for a security presence in the area.

The pact has the ability to bite and, similar to the crocodile, its impact demonstrates the cooperation and preparedness of the armed forces for war.

Hostile action on either country would be “a threat to the partner's stability” so the two are to “respond to the shared threat”.

Enhanced Collaboration

This agreement also covered enhanced cooperation around online security and spectrum operations.

In prior statements, the defence official from Papua New Guinea noted that the agreement would mean that defence personnel from each country would be “totally integrated”.

• First, to limit foreign presence in Papua New Guinea by ensuring it does not have the same level of access to infrastructure.
• Additionally, to resolve the nation's recent difficulties recruiting for its military.
• Finally, the agreement also sends a message to foreign governments.

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

“PNG has an oversupply of able-bodied citizens who are willing to do this kind of work,” it was explained, stating that numerous individuals would be attracted by the possibilities of residing in the country and perhaps securing permanent status.

Area Impact

This agreement is a component of a described as core-and-periphery system of military treaties in the region – with the nation at the core and regional countries being the partners.

Some have raised issues that the treaty may compromise the nation's non-aligned diplomatic stance by aligning PNG with its partner on all security matters.

Both sides need enhanced definition on the foreseen results, obligations and assurances.

The pact also included yearly combined drills which were about “strategic messaging,” to “demonstrate combined operational readiness and rapid response to regional dangers”.

This treaty would help enhance the nation's military, bringing a major uplift in both resources and esprit de corps.