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The Australian nation will gain access to the Papua New Guinean armed forces bases and personnel under a freshly signed pact that will result in each government 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 PNG's Prime Minister.

This agreement will enable up to 10,000 PNG citizens to enlist in the Australian Defence Force. They will also have the opportunity to gain permanent residency in Australia.

Agreement Specifics

Dubbed the Pukpuk Treaty (meaning "the crocodile" in PNG pidgin), the bilateral agreement is the most recent in a series of agreements struck between regional states and nations vying for a military influence in the area.

This agreement has the ability to bite and, like a crocodile, its bite force speaks of the interoperability and preparedness of the armed forces for war.

Hostile action on one of the nations would be “a risk to mutual safety” so each must “respond to the shared threat”.

Enhanced Collaboration

This agreement also encompassed enhanced cooperation around cyberspace and spectrum operations.

In prior statements, the PNG Defence Minister said that the treaty would mean that Australian and PNG forces would be “totally integrated”.

• To begin with, to restrict external influence in the nation by ensuring it does not have the same level of access to resources.
• Additionally, to address Australia's recent challenges recruiting for its military.
• Lastly, the agreement also demonstrates a stance to foreign governments.

The positive outcomes of the deal were multi-faceted, according to a regional security expert.

“PNG has an oversupply of able-bodied citizens who are willing to do this kind of work,” it was explained, adding that numerous individuals would be drawn to the prospects of moving to Australia and potentially securing permanent status.

Area Impact

This agreement forms part of a described as core-and-periphery system of military treaties in the region – with the nation at the centre and Pacific states being the allies.

There are concerns that the agreement may compromise the nation's ‘friends to all, enemies to none’ diplomatic stance by aligning PNG with Australia on each safety concern.

Each party need enhanced definition on the anticipated outcomes, obligations and pledges.

The deal also included regular collaborative training which were about “communicating intent,” to “highlight joint defence capacity and swift mobilization against outside risks”.

The agreement would help update the defence force, bringing a significant boost in both equipment and morale.