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The Australian nation will secure entry to PNG's military facilities and troops under a new deal that will ensure the two countries come to each other's defence if either is under attack.

“Our primary security collaboration is with Australia, a stance that is acknowledged... No other diplomatic ties have been affected,” affirmed the nation's head of state.

The security treaty will enable as many as 10,000 PNG citizens to serve in the nation's armed forces. They will also have the choice to become Australian citizens.

Treaty Details

Dubbed the Crocodile Agreement (which translates to "the crocodile" in local dialect), the bilateral agreement is the latest in a line of deals struck between Pacific nations and countries vying for a military influence in the area.

This agreement can deliver a strong response and, like a crocodile, its strength highlights the interoperability and preparation of the defence units for conflict.

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

Expanded Cooperation

This agreement also included expanded partnership around online security and electronic combat.

In prior statements, the defence official from Papua New Guinea indicated that the deal would mean that defence personnel from each country would be “completely unified”.

• To begin with, to limit foreign presence in Papua New Guinea by ensuring it does not have the same level of access to resources.
• Second, to resolve Australia's recent challenges building defence numbers.
• In conclusion, the agreement also communicates a point to foreign governments.

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

“Papua New Guinea possesses numerous capable nationals eager for these opportunities,” it was explained, adding that many people would be attracted by the possibilities of living in Australia and potentially obtaining citizenship.

Area Impact

This agreement represents an element in a described as core-and-periphery system of security agreements in the Pacific – with the nation at the core and regional countries being the allies.

There are concerns that the agreement undermines PNG's inclusive and neutral international approach by aligning PNG with its partner on all security matters.

Both sides need more precise understanding on the anticipated outcomes, responsibilities and commitments.

The pact also included annual joint military exercises which were about “demonstrating capability,” to “show the interoperability of the forces and their ability to face an external threat in the region and how quickly they can organise themselves and deploy”.

This treaty would help enhance the nation's military, bringing a significant boost in both material and esprit de corps.