Regional Security Alliance: Australia and Papua New Guinea Cement Military Ties

Mon Oct 13 2025 21:01:35 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Australia and Papua New Guinea have signed a significant defense agreement aimed at strengthening military cooperation and countering China's influence in the Pacific region.

In a landmark agreement, Australia has secured access to Papua New Guinea's military resources as part of a defense deal that underscores their longstanding alliance. The agreement aims to ensure mutual support in case of conflict and includes provisions for Papua New Guineans to join the Australian military. This strategic partnership is viewed as a countermeasure against China's growing presence in the Pacific, amidst broader geopolitical tensions.

Regional Security Alliance: Australia and Papua New Guinea Cement Military Ties

Australia has formally enhanced its military ties with Papua New Guinea (PNG) through a new defense agreement, allowing mutual access to military facilities and troops in the event of an attack. This agreement marks a significant step in the cooperative relationship shared by the two nations, which has been evolving for years.

Experts interpret this arrangement as a strategic move to counteract China's increasing influence within the Pacific region, with Oliver Nobetau from the Lowy Institute noting that the deal restricts access for China to critical infrastructures in PNG, contrasting its extensive reach in other Pacific Islands.

Under the deal, around 10,000 Papua New Guineans may have the opportunity to serve in Australia's military, with pathways to Australian citizenship offered as an attractive incentive. The relationship aims to secure PNG's position as Australia's primary security partner, where PNG Prime Minister James Marape confirmed to China that Australia is the chosen partner for security matters.

In recent years, China has significantly increased its engagement with various Pacific nations, and in response to this, Australia is fortifying its commitments with other regional allies such as the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu, focusing on security and political stability across the area.

The newly minted Pukpuk Treaty signifies that any armed conflict impacting either nation would pose a threat to the other, necessitating a collaborative defense response. This pact also emphasizes collaboration in areas such as cyberspace and electromagnetic warfare, crucial in contemporary military confrontations.

Moreover, the treaty could potentially modernize PNG's military infrastructure and capabilities, even as it raises questions about where PNG's allegiances lie in the broader geopolitical landscape. Critics worry that closer alignment with Australia might compromise PNG's previous policy of neutrality.

Overall, this agreement signifies how both nations are positioning themselves to face emerging threats in the region while maintaining a long-standing partnership rooted in mutual trust and shared interests.