| Papua New Guinea Defence Force | |
|---|---|
 Papua New Guinea Defence Force emblem | |
| Founded | 1973 |
| Service branches | Land Element Maritime Element Air Element |
| Headquarters | Murray Barracks, Port Moresby |
| Website | defence.gov.pg |
| Leadership | |
| The Minister for Defence | Dr. Billy Joseph[1] |
| Commander of the PNGDF | Rear Admiral Philip Polewara[2] |
| Personnel | |
| Military age | 20[3] |
| Conscription | No |
| Available for military service | 1,568,210 males, age 16–49 (2010 est.[5]), 1,478,965 females, age 16–49 (2010 est.[5]) |
| Fit for military service | 1,130,951 males, age 16–49 (2010 est.[5]), 1,137,753 females, age 16–49 (2010 est.[5]) |
| Reaching military age annually | 67,781 males (2010 est.[5]), 65,820 females (2010 est.[5]) |
| Active personnel | 3,600[4] |
| Expenditure | |
| Budget | $US113.1 million (2014)[6] |
| Percent of GDP | 1.9 (2014)[6] |
| Industry | |
| Foreign suppliers | Australia China France India Japan United Kingdom United States |
| Related articles | |
| History | |
| Ranks | Ranks |
The Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) is the military organisation responsible for the defence of Papua New Guinea. It originated from the Australian Army land forces of the territory of Papua New Guinea before independence, coming into being in January 1973 and having its antecedents in the Pacific Islands Regiment. The PNGDF is a small force, numbering around 3,600 personnel, and consists of a Land Element, an Air Element and a Maritime Element. It is a joint force tasked with defending Papua New Guinea and its territories against external attack, as well as having secondary functions including national-building and internal security tasks.
Defence accounts for less than 2% of GDP, while also receiving significant assistance and training support from Australia, New Zealand, the United States, and other nations.
The PNGDF Land Element includes two infantry battalions, an engineer battalion, a signal squadron, an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit, and a preventive medicine platoon. The Air Element is a small air wing operating three light transport aircraft and two leased helicopters. The Maritime Element consists of four Guardian-class patrol boats and two landing crafts. The army is under the direct command of Headquarters PNGDF, while the air wing and navy have their own commanding officers. The PNGDF does not have a Commander-in-Chief but rather a Commander who advises the Minister for Defence.[7][8] The PNGDF is under the control of the National Executive Council through the Minister for Defence.[8]
- ^ "Hon. Dr. Billy Joseph, PhD, MP". Parliament of Papua New Guinea. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
- ^ Finkeo, Marjorie (14 June 2024). "New appointments in PNGDF". Post Courier. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
- ^ "Recruitment". Papua New Defence Force. Archived from the original on 25 November 2016. Retrieved 24 November 2016.
- ^ International Institute for Strategic Studies (25 February 2021). The Military Balance 2021. London: Routledge. p. 293. ISBN 9781032012278.
- ^ "CIA – The World Factbook – Papua New Guinea". The World Factbook. Central Intelligence Agency. Archived from the original on 6 April 2011. Retrieved 17 November 2007.
- ^ a b Defence Intelligence Organisation 2015, p. 34.
- ^ "Office of The Commander PNGDF". Papua New Guinea Defence Force. Archived from the original on 25 November 2016. Retrieved 24 November 2016.
- ^ a b "Constitution of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea (s 201(1))". Pacific Islands Legal Information Institute. Archived from the original on 26 August 2012. Retrieved 29 August 2012.