Lombrum the start of PNGDF expansion plan
“The Lombrum base is a joint PNG-Australia-US facility and was a key strategic [asset] offering possibilities for the Australian Defence Force.”
“With 2.9 million square kilometres of ocean, 462,840 square kilometres of land, 800 kilometres of borders and 600 islands to defend, Prime Minister James Marape says the nation can no longer afford a weakened force.”
“Part of the plans to field five battalions, three land, one sea and one air and grow the personnel to 5,000 in 2030 and by 2035 to have 7,000 PNGDF personnel and 3,000 reserve to be deployed at any given time. That will bring our total up to 10,000 PNGDF personnel Mr Marape said.”
“In 2024, Washington announced plans to invest up to $25 million on facilities at Lombrum, including a new maritime training center and an upgraded jetty, the U.S. Naval Institute reported.”
Source: PNG Post-Courier
See also: ‘Australia boosts PNG defence as treaty looms’
https://au.news.yahoo.com/pacific-ties-focus-ministers-head-001810844.html