Papua New Guinea / PNG
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Oceania
Papua New Guinea hosts Indo-Pacific health security alliance event
FORUM Staff Papua New Guinea (PNG) hosted a key Indo-Pacific health security alliance (IPhsa) event with co-chairs the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and the United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) in Port Moresby in early May 2025. The multilateral event celebrated PNG’s 50 years of independence and brought together 150 representatives from more than 15 Allied and Partner nations to enhance…
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Oceania
Pacific nations deepen military ties through training, recruitment, strategic partnerships
Peter Parson Defense cooperation across the Pacific region is transforming, with a growing focus on personnel exchanges and cross-national recruitment to bolster interoperability. Island nations, particularly Papua New Guinea (PNG), are deepening military integration with partners such as Australia, New Zealand and the United States to enhance readiness and strategic cohesion. From joint training to recruitment agreements, PNG is leveraging…
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Oceania
Naval base modernization highlights growing Australia-PNG-U.S. defense cooperation
Peter Parson The refurbishment of a key naval base and joint initiatives with Australia and the United States underscore Papua New Guinea’s (PNG) enhanced defense posture. The upgrades to the PNG Defence Force’s (PNGDF) Lombrum Naval Base, which U.S. forces can access under the nations’ Defense Cooperation Agreement, are evidence of the growing ties among the three partners. Other developments…
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Oceania
Defense treaty to further deepen enduring Australia-PNG ties
FORUM Staff Fifty years after Papua New Guinea (PNG) formed its Defence Force upon achieving independence from Australia, the nations’ troops are set to serve in each other’s forces under a proposed defense treaty. The pact, which follows a 2023 bilateral security agreement, will build on the nations’ “unique history and closeness,” their defense ministers announced in February 2025. The…
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Features
Land Power Key for Multidomain Success
FORUM Staff | Photos by AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE DEPARTMENT Lt. Gen. Simon Stuart assumed command of the Australian Army on July 2, 2022, about 35 years after he enlisted as a Soldier. The Chief of Army sat down for an interview with FORUM on the sidelines of the Land Forces Pacific (LANPAC) conference sponsored by the Association of the United States…
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Features
Island Security
FORUM Staff Papua New Guinea (PNG) celebrates the 50th anniversary of its independence from Australia on September 16, 2025. Buildings will be draped in the national colors of red, black and gold and expect a ceremonial flag-raising; parades; sporting events; and cultural festivals with music, dances and costumes. Rehearsals began in 2023 when the country’s Department of Personnel Management urged…
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Oceania
Allies, Partners aid humanitarian efforts in earthquake-damaged Vanuatu
FORUM Staff Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, the United States and other nations are aiding Vanuatu after an earthquake hit the country’s capital, Port Vila, in mid-December 2024. The 7.6 magnitude earthquake leveled buildings, cracked bridges, destroyed water reservoirs, knocked out communications and internet access, and shut down the main wharf. Authorities said the quake killed at least 12…
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Oceania
Australia solidifies role as Papua New Guinea’s primary security partner
The Associated Press Australia has signed a security pact with its nearest neighbor, Papua New Guinea (PNG), strengthening Canberra’s role as the region’s preferred security partner. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Papua New Guinean Prime Minister James Marape signed the agreement in mid-December 2024. Marape said his government initiated the deal, which respects both nations’ sovereignty and comes seven…
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Oceania
Oceania defense force appointments highlight growing interoperability
FORUM Staff A series of historic firsts are accelerating initiatives to deepen interoperability among Allies and Partners as Oceania defense forces pursue shared national interests. In October 2024, New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) Maj. Gen. Hugh McAslan was named Australia’s deputy chief of joint operations, the highest-level posting of a foreign military officer to the Australian Defence Force (ADF), according…
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Departments
Making History
FORUM Staff Photos by AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE DEPARTMENT As the son of a Soldier, and with a desire to explore the world beyond his island nation, Boniface Aruma embarked on what might be seen as a natural career path. Nearly 30 years after joining the Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF), however, the latest destination on Col. Aruma’s professional journey could not…
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