IRIA News

5 minute read

Papua New Guinea (PNG) has formally approved a landmark defense treaty with Australia, in a move that both countries say will elevate their relationship to a formal alliance and strengthen security ties across the Pacific.

Prime Minister James Marape confirmed on October 2, 2025, that his cabinet had approved the “Pukpuk Treaty,” which obliges Australia and Papua New Guinea to come to each other’s aid in the event of an attack. The treaty still requires ratification in both national parliaments, but both governments hailed the agreement as a turning point in bilateral relations.

“Papua New Guinea will now sign this treaty at our request,” Marape said in a statement. “This reflects the depth of trust, history, and shared future between our two nations.”

The treaty outlines steps for Papua New Guinea to modernize its defense capabilities, expand its standing military to 7,000 personnel, and create a 3,000-strong reserve force. A unique feature of the agreement will allow as many as 10,000 Papua New Guineans to serve in the Australian Defense Force under dual arrangements, offering training and integration opportunities that could transform PNG’s military capacity.

Elevating Relations to Formal Alliance

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese welcomed the treaty’s approval and confirmed that he will soon meet Marape to sign the agreement in person.

“Our two nations are the closest of neighbors and the closest of friends, and this treaty will elevate our relationship to a formal alliance,” Albanese said in a statement. “I look forward to signing the treaty with Prime Minister Marape soon.”

For Australia, the Pukpuk Treaty represents its first regional defense alliance in more than 70 years. At present, Canberra’s only treaty partners are the United States and New Zealand through the 1951 ANZUS pact. Security analysts said the agreement could be the most significant expansion of Australia’s regional defense ties since that time.

Delayed Approval

The treaty was initially scheduled to be signed during Albanese’s visit to Port Moresby in September, where he attended celebrations marking PNG’s 50th anniversary of independence. However, Marape’s cabinet failed to reach a quorum, preventing ratification and leaving the two leaders to sign only a joint communiqué instead.

Marape later emphasized that Papua New Guinea is a democracy and requires broad cabinet approval for such significant commitments. “This treaty is not just about maintaining barracks and boats,” he said. “We are investing in both hardware and software for defense so that we can effectively police our borders and safeguard our nation.”

Vanuatu Agreement Stalls

The signing of the Pukpuk Treaty comes after Australia’s failed attempt to secure another major security agreement in the region. Last month, Albanese travelled to Vanuatu to advance the “Nakamal Agreement,” which was expected to deliver about $500 million over a decade in climate, security, and economic support.

That deal stalled after a coalition partner in Vanuatu’s government demanded more scrutiny, with concerns raised over whether the agreement might limit Port Vila’s sovereignty. Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles later described the pact as a “challenging and difficult agreement,” but insisted that there remained “an enormous amount of goodwill on both sides” and expressed confidence it would eventually be signed.

The failure to secure the Vanuatu deal highlighted the delicate political environment in Pacific Island nations, where Australia, the United States, and China are all competing for influence.

Countering China’s Presence

The Pukpuk Treaty was agreed upon in the context of rising Chinese influence in the Pacific. China signed a security pact with the Solomon Islands in 2022, raising alarm in Canberra, Washington, and other capitals that Beijing could seek a permanent military foothold in the region.

In 2023, the United States signed its own defense cooperation agreement with Papua New Guinea, reflecting the country’s growing strategic importance. The U.S. deal allows American forces access to PNG bases and ports, adding another layer to the island nation’s defense partnerships.

Marape said the Pukpuk Treaty includes provisions to respect Papua New Guinea’s other security relationships, noting that “provisions are in place to respect third-party relationships.” Analysts said the wording appeared aimed at acknowledging China, which remains one of PNG’s largest trading partners and a major source of investment.

The Chinese embassy in Port Moresby previously cautioned PNG against signing “exclusive” defence agreements, urging it to uphold its independence and not allow foreign treaties to restrict cooperation with Beijing.

Domestic Debate in PNG

While the government has championed the treaty as a necessary step to strengthen national security, some Papua New Guineans have voiced concerns about the agreement’s long-term implications.

Some see the treaty as an opportunity to modernize PNG’s underfunded and overstretched defense force, while creating pathways for Papua New Guineans to gain valuable skills and experience in Australia. The prospect of 10,000 citizens serving with the Australian Defense Force was described by officials in Port Moresby as both strengthening bilateral ties and providing career opportunities for young people.

The treaty still faces ratification by both parliaments before it takes effect. If approved, analysts say it could reshape the regional security architecture by giving Australia its first new treaty ally in decades and further anchoring Papua New Guinea in the Western security orbit.

Albanese said the agreement represents a “landmark in Australia’s regional engagement.” Marape added that the treaty was designed to ensure his country is “safe, secure, and prepared to protect its people and borders.”

As competition for influence in the Pacific intensifies, the Pukpuk Treaty is set to become a defining test of how far Australia and Papua New Guinea are willing to deepen defence ties, and how China will respond to the region’s shifting security dynamics.