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The Australian nation will gain access to PNG's defence infrastructure and personnel under a new agreement that will result in both nations provide mutual defense if either is under attack.

“Australia remains our preferred security ally, and this is understood... Our broader relationships remain intact,” stated PNG's Prime Minister.

The pact will enable up to 10,000 PNG citizens to join Australia's military. They will also have the choice to become Australian citizens.

Pact Provisions

Referred to as the Pukpuk Pact (meaning "the crocodile" in local dialect), the two-nation deal is the newest in a line of deals forged by Pacific nations and countries competing for a security presence in the region.

The treaty possesses significant force and, in the manner of this predator, its bite force demonstrates the interoperability and preparation of the armed forces for war.

Hostile action on any signatory would be “a risk to mutual safety” so both should “respond to the shared threat”.

Enhanced Collaboration

The deal also encompassed greater collaboration around online security and electronic combat.

Previously, the defence official from Papua New Guinea noted that the agreement would mean that Australian and PNG forces would be “fully combined”.

• First, to limit external influence in Papua New Guinea by making certain it does not have the comparable reach to infrastructure.
• Furthermore, to address the nation's recent difficulties building defence numbers.
• Lastly, the agreement also sends a message to foreign governments.

The positive outcomes of the deal were comprising several aspects, per analysis from a defence analyst.

“PNG has an oversupply of able-bodied citizens who are willing to do this kind of work,” they said, adding that numerous individuals would be attracted by the opportunities of living in Australia and possibly getting Australian citizenship.

Pacific Consequences

The deal represents an element in a termed core-and-periphery system of defence pacts in the area – with the nation at the centre and regional countries being the partners.

Questions have emerged that the pact could weaken the nation's non-aligned diplomatic stance by aligning the country with Australia on every defence issue.

Both sides need more precise understanding on the expectations, duties 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 modernise the nation's military, bringing a major uplift in both equipment and morale.