Australia Strengthens Ties with Papua New Guinea through Defence Pact

Sun Oct 19 2025 20:04:26 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

A new defence agreement between Australia and Papua New Guinea aims to fortify mutual security and counter China's expanding influence in the South Pacific.

Australia and Papua New Guinea have formalized a defense deal that allows for military collaboration and ensures mutual assistance in times of conflict. This treaty, named the Pukpuk Treaty, is designed to enhance security infrastructure and military preparedness, while also addressing geopolitical dynamics in the Pacific region exacerbated by China's influence.

Australia will gain access to Papua New Guinea's (PNG) military facilities and troops under a key deal that will see the nations come to each other's aid if either is attacked.

Both governments say the deal was born from a yearslong alliance between the two Pacific neighbors, but experts say it is aimed at countering China's growing influence in the region.

The deal ensures China will not have the same access to infrastructure in PNG as it does in other Pacific Islands, said Oliver Nobetau, project director of the Lowy Institute's Australia-PNG network.

It will allow as many as 10,000 Papua New Guineans to serve in Australia's military, and give them the option to become Australian citizens.

With nearly 12 million people, PNG is the largest and most populous South Pacific nation.

China has already significantly shored up trade with Pacific Island nations in recent years and is now trying to establish diplomatic and security beachheads across the region.

Australia and its Western allies, including the United States, have been attempting to counter these efforts.

PNG Prime Minister James Marape emphasized that the deal was not born out of geopolitics. 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, he stressed during the signing of the agreement with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

The Pukpuk Treaty, named for the word 'crocodile' in PNG pidgin, highlights that an armed attack on either country is a threat to the other's peace and security, thus necessitating joint action.

This agreement also covers greater collaboration in cyberspace and electromagnetic warfare, with annual joint military exercises aimed at showcasing interoperability between Australian and PNG forces.

Despite its advantages, the deal has faced scrutiny in PNG, with concerns about potential compromises on the nation’s foreign policy and the implications of aligning with Australia against perceived threats from China.