Papua New Guinea Defence Force
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.
| 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 | Win Bakri Daki |
| Commander of the PNGDF | Major General Mark Goina |
| Personnel | |
| Military age | 20 |
| Conscription | No |
| Available for military service | 1,568,210 males, age 16–49 (2010 est.), 1,478,965 females, age 16–49 (2010 est.) |
| Fit for military service | 1,130,951 males, age 16–49 (2010 est.), 1,137,753 females, age 16–49 (2010 est.) |
| Reaching military age annually | 67,781 males (2010 est.), 65,820 females (2010 est.) |
| Active personnel | 3,600 |
| Expenditures | |
| Budget | $US113.1 million (2014) |
| Percent of GDP | 1.9 (2014) |
| Industry | |
| Foreign suppliers | Australia France India Japan United Kingdom United States |
| Related articles | |
| History | |
| Ranks | Ranks |
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. The PNGDF is under the control of the National Executive Council through the Minister for Defence.