Australia and Papua New Guinea are set to sign a significant defense treaty that will fully integrate their military forces. The agreement is expected to be finalized on Monday, coinciding with Papua New Guinea's 50th independence anniversary. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, along with key ministers, will arrive in Papua New Guinea for the celebrations.

PNG's Defense Minister Billy Joseph described the treaty as a "mutual defense treaty" that will enable both nations to collaborate in defending their territories. "We're not talking about interoperability, we're talking about totally integrated forces," he stated. He emphasized that the Australian Defense Force (ADF) and the Papua New Guinea Defense Force (PNGDF) will work closely together, utilizing the same equipment and fighting as a unified force.

The treaty is expected to include a provision similar to Article Four of NATO's founding treaty, which mandates member countries to consult when any of them feels their territorial integrity or security is threatened. Additionally, the agreement will allow the ADF to recruit citizens from Papua New Guinea and vice versa. It is also anticipated that serving in the ADF will provide a pathway for Papua New Guineans to obtain Australian citizenship.

Negotiations for the treaty began in June and could significantly impact Australia's national security capabilities. A submission for the agreement is expected to be presented to Papua New Guinea's cabinet for approval on Monday, paving the way for both prime ministers to sign it. Minister Joseph expressed confidence in gaining unanimous support from Papua New Guinea's parliament, which must ratify the treaty for it to take effect.

This defense pact is seen as a strategic move amid rising geopolitical competition in the region, particularly involving China, Australia, and the United States. Joseph noted that "external influences" have attempted to undermine the Australia-PNG treaty, although he did not provide further details.

Michael Shoebridge, a defense policy expert, remarked that this treaty solidifies Australia's position as the preferred security partner for Papua New Guinea. "This is a pretty big step for PNG to say, 'Yes, we agree, you actually are our security partner of choice,'" he said, adding that it reflects a near-alliance relationship.

However, Shoebridge cautioned that the agreement may not diminish China's growing economic influence in Papua New Guinea. He pointed out that Beijing's political sway is tied to the country's economic dependence, a situation that also applies to Australia.

In August, Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles visited Papua New Guinea to inaugurate an upgraded naval base on Manus Island, indicating that the new agreement would facilitate access to each other's defense facilities. "It's really clear … that we want to be able to operate out of each other's facilities," he stated.

Minister Joseph highlighted that the treaty would send a strong message to other countries in the Pacific region. He assured that the agreement would not compromise the sovereignty of either nation and could be modified in the future.

Since gaining independence from Australia in 1975, Papua New Guinea and Australia have maintained close defense ties, including joint training programs and military exercises. Shoebridge noted that the integration of the two militaries must be managed carefully to ensure that Papua New Guinea retains its sovereignty. He also mentioned potential financial implications for Australia, as the two forces may need to align their equipment standards. "Australia's defense force is not known as a set of bargain basement shoppers; they tend to buy the most expensive solutions for everything," he said, suggesting that additional budget support may be necessary for Papua New Guinea's military.