Editing Papua New Guinea Defence Force (section)

==Land Element==
[[File:2688381 Papua New Guinea Defence Force (Army) training with U.S. Marines (edited).jpg|thumb|250x275px|left|A PNGDF soldier in ''Kumul'' uniform with an M16 rifle]]

The Land Element is the PNGDFs army land force, being primarily a light infantry force capable of conducting low-tempo operations only; it is the senior of the three services. The army has its origins in the [[Royal Pacific Islands Regiment]], which was formed in 1951 as a component of the Australian Army. Since independence, the army has become an indigenous organisation with its own traditions and culture. Nonetheless, the force has adopted foreign ideas on the roles and needs of an armed force, leading to proposals for armour, artillery and attack helicopters. However, the army faces severe budgetary problems and has therefore had virtually no money for operations, training, and maintenance or capital equipment upgrades. In this context, proposals to develop the army into a well equipped, mobile conventional land force, are unlikely in the near to medium term.<ref name=JanesArmies/> The army's role is to protect against external aggression, provide for internal security in support of the police, and to carry out civic action and relief operations when required. The engineer battalion is used for civic action with construction and reticulation capabilities, while the two infantry battalions also constructs roads, bridges and other infrastructure in regions where commercial companies are unwilling to work for security reasons.<ref name=JanesArmies/>

The army has no significant experience in conventional operations and according to Janes it has limited ability to deploy overseas independently; "it is not effective in internal security operations and has often shown scant regard for political authority. This was illustrated in August 2006 when the PNG government declared a state of emergency in the Southern Highlands province where a proposed gas pipeline has been planned. Troops were being deployed to restore law, order and good governance in the province. In these latter circumstances it has proven to be more of a threat to the state than an asset. For reasons of cultural diversity and rivalry, terrain and transport difficulties and the reduction and retaining of the smaller army—a successful army coup would be extremely unlikely."<ref name=JanesArmies/>

During the 1990s the army's main role was internal security and counter-insurgency operations in Bougainville, where a secessionist movement was attempting to bring independence. This operation—which lasted at varying levels of intensity until 1997—revealed the army's ineffectiveness, lack of training and indiscipline. The army was accused of significant human rights violations and there were indications it was operating independently of the government. Indeed, in June 1991 Colonel L. Nuia was dismissed for killing civilians and using Australian-donated helicopters to dump their bodies at sea, while in September 1993 the PNG government offered to pay compensation for Solomon Island civilians killed by PNGDF forces who had pursued BRA members across the border. The fighting in Bougainville also exposed weaknesses in command, training, discipline and force structure.<ref name=Dennis455/> Later the army was also involved in the controversial [[Sandline affair]] of 1997, when the PNGDF Commander—[[Jerry Singirok]]—blocked the use of mercenaries to destroy the [[History of Bougainville|revolt on Bougainville]]. The current restructure has focused on the removal of men of a quality now judged to have been unsuitable for the Bougainville campaign and since the end of operations there the army has, with Australian assistance, attempted to reform all aspects of its training and administration.<ref name=JanesArmies/>

In the early 21st century terrorism has become increasingly a concern for Papua New Guinea policy-makers and one of the major objectives of the army for 2008 is to prepare itself to deter any attack on its sovereignty but more particularly to terrorist attacks. Equally, although the army has no history of peace support contributions, its involvement in RAMSI has proven a catalyst to determine how it could train for and be used in UN operations. Despite these efforts the army is still not in a position to provide forces with the appropriate "level of training and discipline" without significant risk, according to Janes. To be sure, however, "the army command views such deployment as their contribution to the 'economic well-being of PNG' and a way of maintaining any semblance of a proficient armed force."<ref name=JanesArmies/>

As of 2015, women are permitted to serve in non-combat roles in the PNGDF's Land Element.<ref>{{cite news|title=Women in the army|url=http://www.looppng.com/content/women-army|access-date=4 July 2015|work=Loop|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150705191137/http://www.looppng.com/content/women-army|archive-date=5 July 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Current organisation===
[[File:PNGDF soldier during a training exercise in April 2017.jpg|thumb|A PNGDF soldier in 2017]]
The Land Element is directly commanded by the Commander PNGDF, Brigadier General Gilbert Toropo, and has been significantly reduced in size due to restructuring (from 3,500 to 1,800 as of late 2007) and currently comprises the following:<ref name=JanesArmies/>

* Command HQ (Port Moresby);
* two light Infantry battalions of the [[Royal Pacific Islands Regiment]] (1 RPIR at Port Moresby and 2 RPIR at [[Wewak]]);
* Long Range Reconnaissance Unit;
* one Engineer battalion ([[Lae]]);
* Signals Squadron (Port Moresby);
* EOD unit;
* Preventative Health Platoon; and
* Defence Academy (Lae)<ref>{{cite news|title=Officer cadet training progressing|url=http://www.looppng.com/content/officer-cadet-training-progressing|access-date=5 August 2015|work=Loop PNG|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150828161713/http://www.looppng.com/content/officer-cadet-training-progressing|archive-date=28 August 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

A ceremonial guard was established in 2015.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Gabina|first1=Lorraine|title=PNG Defence Force Year in Review|url=http://www.emtv.com.pg/article.aspx?slug=PNG-Defence-Force-Year-in-Review-&|access-date=28 December 2015|work=EM TV News|date=4 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304202617/http://www.emtv.com.pg/article.aspx?slug=PNG-Defence-Force-Year-in-Review-&|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The army's main bases include Port Moresby, Wewak and Lae, while [[Company (military unit)|company]] strength outstations are located at [[Kiunga, Papua New Guinea|Kiunga]] and [[Vanimo]]. Communications centres are found at all of these locations and also on Manus island. Papua New Guinea has large areas of uninhabited jungle suitable for training. A training depot is maintained at Goldie River near Port Moresby and at Lae.<ref name=JanesArmies/>

Historically the army has been poorly trained; however Australia has recently made this the focus of the Enhanced Defence Partnership programme, supplying training, advisors and equipment. New Zealand is also contributing training assistance under its Mutual Assistance Programme. Equally army personnel have in the past trained with the French in New Caledonia, while US Special Forces have occasionally undertaken joint exercises in PNG. At present, however, over 90 per cent of the budget is dedicated to pay and retrenchments, and as a consequence there is little left to fund training exercises. While most soldiers are not currently formally qualified for their rank, there are determined moves to professionalise the army after the restructure is complete. Indeed, the army has an officer training academy and a small trade training capacity, which is being boosted by Australian personnel. A small number of officer candidates also undertake training at the [[Royal Military College Duntroon|Royal Military College – Duntroon]], in [[Canberra]]. Australian procedures are followed as a matter of course, and their influence is increasing as more joint training exercises are held.<ref name=JanesArmies/>

==== Long Range Reconnaissance Unit ====
The Long Range Reconnaissance Unit (LRRU) is a small infantry unit responsible for providing small reconnaissance teams for patrols in tropical rainforests, wetlands and in the highlands and counter terrorist capabilities.<ref>{{cite web |title=Long Range Reconnaissance Unit |url=http://www.pngdefence.gov.pg/index.php/2016-05-11-12-36-38/long-range-reconnaissance-unit |website=Papua New Guinea Defence Force |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161125174323/http://www.pngdefence.gov.pg/index.php/2016-05-11-12-36-38/long-range-reconnaissance-unit |archive-date=25 November 2016 |access-date=25 November 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 1996, the Special Forces Unit (SFU) was formed which was later renamed the LRRU.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Mou |first1=Freddy |title=PNGDF Unit marks 21st anniversary |url=http://www.looppng.com/png-news/pngdf-unit-marks-21st-anniversary-55251 |access-date=27 May 2017 |work=Loop PNG |date=25 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170514045056/http://www.looppng.com/png-news/pngdf-unit-marks-21st-anniversary-55251 |archive-date=14 May 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> The LRRU has trained with the Australian [[Special Air Service Regiment]] (SASR) and the [[New Zealand Special Air Service]] (NZSAS) in PNG in its reconnaissance role for many years.<ref>{{cite news|title=PNG-NZ army exercise underway |url=http://www.pina.com.fj/?p=pacnews&m=read&o=152339025751ac063aea7c73e79d02 |access-date=1 November 2015 |work=Pacific Islands News Association |date=3 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160818091457/http://www.pina.com.fj/?p=pacnews&m=read&o=152339025751ac063aea7c73e79d02 |archive-date=18 August 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2014, the LRRU commenced developing a counter terrorist capability for the [[APEC Papua New Guinea 2018|APEC]] Summit held in 2018, it received new equipment in preparation for this.<ref name="The National">{{cite news|last1=Faiparik |first1=Clifford |title=PNGDF unit needs specialist weapons: Director |url=http://www.thenational.com.pg/pngdf-unit-needs-specialist-weapons-director/ |access-date=27 May 2017 |work=The National |date=1 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170707102615/http://www.thenational.com.pg/pngdf-unit-needs-specialist-weapons-director/ |archive-date=7 July 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> The LRRU then provided a response capability for the [[2015 Pacific Games|Pacific Games]] in July 2015, with training provided by Australian Army [[Special Operations Command (Australia)|Special Operations Command]] units and the NZSAS.<ref>{{cite news|title=Sharing skills in PNG |url=http://www.defence.gov.au/Publications/NewsPapers/Army/editions/1354/1354.pdf |access-date=1 November 2015 |work=Army: The Soldiers' Newspaper |publisher=Department of Defence |issue=1354 |date=2 July 2015 |page=7 |issn=0729-5685 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222110424/http://www.defence.gov.au/Publications/NewsPapers/Army/editions/1354/1354.pdf |archive-date=22 December 2015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Long Range Recon Unit Assembled For Pacific Games |url=https://emtv.com.pg/recon-unit-assembled-for-pacific-games/ |work=EMTV |access-date=28 December 2019 |date=2 June 2015}}</ref>

The Warrior Wing established in the 1990s by [[United States special operations forces|U.S. Special Forces]] consists of experienced LRRU soldiers who provide reconnaissance training and coordinate exercises with foreign units.<ref>{{cite press release|title=USARPAC Commander honors Army History throughout South Pacific Region in Goodwill Tour |url=https://www.dvidshub.net/news/186241/usarpac-commander-honors-army-history-throughout-south-pacific-region-goodwill-tour |website=Defense Video & Imagery Distribution System |access-date=28 May 2017 |date=13 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180930171052/https://www.dvidshub.net/news/186241/usarpac-commander-honors-army-history-throughout-south-pacific-region-goodwill-tour |archive-date=30 September 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Equipment===
The army is only lightly equipped—possessing no artillery, heavy weapons, anti-armour or anti-aircraft weapons. It is chronically short of equipment, maintaining just a few mortars, small arms and limited communications equipment. Because mobility is severely impaired due to PNG's mountainous geography, heavy rain forest, and the nation's underdeveloped transport infrastructure, artillery is not used by the New Guinea Defence Force.<ref name=JanesArmies/>

Regardless, while the army's equipment remains largely outdated and inadequate, some new equipment was procured in late 2003 was commissioned during 2004. PNGDF has fielded a new digital satellite communications network, enabling it to communicate with its personnel on the Solomon Islands, stationed there as part of PNG's commitment to the international intervention force. The army can also now communicate securely with its personnel located at seven fixed ground stations—the barracks at Murray, Taurama, Goldie, Lombrum, Igam, Vanimo and Moem. The system also includes mobile units installed on small trucks which communicate from remote locations via the fixed ground stations. Equally in June 2007, the army received 32 new HF Barrett communication radios, at a cost of PGK800,000, in order to assist with providing security for the 2007 election.<ref name=JanesArmies/>

The security of the PNGDF's weapons is also an issue, and it is alleged that various mortars, guns and small arms have been used in tribal conflicts and robberies. In response more secure armouries have been provided by Australia, however weapon security remains elusive. Further attempts to improve weapons security were implemented during 2005 with fortnightly weapon checks and making unit commanders accountable for the return of weapons, with serious action threatened for any defaults. Also, soldiers are now forbidden to carry weapons in public without specific permission.<ref name=JanesArmies/>

The Chinese government donated 40 military vehicles in December 2015.<ref>{{cite news |title=Military Vehicles Still at Main Wharf |url=https://postcourier.com.pg/military-vehicles-still-at-main-wharf/ |access-date=27 December 2019 |work=Post Courier |date=8 January 2016}}</ref> In 2017–2018, China donated armoured vehicles, troop carriers, buses, mobile kitchen vans and ambulances.<ref name="National2017">{{cite news |title=China supports Defence Force with K17.5 million gift |url=https://www.thenational.com.pg/china-supports-defence-force-k17-5-million-gift/ |access-date=27 December 2019 |work=The National |date=7 November 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |title=驻巴布亚新几内亚大使薛冰出席中国援助巴新军用车辆交接仪式 |url=http://pg.china-embassy.org/chn/zbgx/t1507805.htm |website=Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Papua New Guinea |language=zh |date=6 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180714131637/http://pg.china-embassy.org/chn/zbgx/t1507805.htm |archive-date=14 July 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Nara |first1=Alexander |title=PNGDF Distributes Armory |url=https://postcourier.com.pg/pngdf-distributes-armory/ |access-date=24 April 2023 |work=Post Courier |date=4 October 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media|title=PNGDF distributes armory and vehicles|medium=Television production|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4z8Bth2o21Q  |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/4z8Bth2o21Q| archive-date=2021-12-11 |url-status=live|publisher=EMTV |access-date=27 December 2019 |date=6 October 2019}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Ten armoured vehicles were donated including four [[WZ-551|Norinco WZ-551]] wheeled [[infantry fighting vehicle]]s.<ref name="National2017"/><ref name="Connolly">{{cite journal |last=Connolly |first=Peter |title=The Belt and Road comes to Papua New Guinea: Chinese geoeconomics with Melanesian characteristics? |journal=Security Challenges |date=2020 |volume=16 |issue=4 |page=59 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/26976257 |access-date=24 April 2023 |publisher=Institute for Regional Security |jstor=26976257 |issn=1833-1459}}</ref>

In May 2020, Australia donated 28 DJI Phantom drones to patrol its border with [[Indonesia]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=PNGDF demonstrates use of drones by the reconnaissance unit|url=https://postcourier.com.pg/pngdf-demonstrates-use-of-drones-by-the-reconnaissance-unit/|date=2020-05-26|website=Post Courier|access-date=2020-05-30}}</ref>

====Small arms====
{| class="wikitable"
! style="text-align:center; background:#aabccc;"|Name
! style="text-align: center; background:#aabccc;"|Origin
! style="text-align:l center; background:#aabccc;"|Type
! style="text-align: center; background:#aabccc;"|Notes
|-
! colspan="4" style="align: center; background: lavender;" | [[Pistol]]s
|-
| [[Browning Hi-Power]]<ref name=Alpers>{{cite book|last=Alpers|first=Philip|editor1-last=Karp|editor1-first=Aaron|title=The Politics of Destroying Surplus Small Arms: Inconspicuous Disarmament|date=2010|pages=168–169|publisher=Routledge Books|location=Abingdon-on-Thames|isbn=978-0-415-49461-8}}</ref>
| {{BEL}}
| [[Semi-automatic pistol]]
| Obtained from Australia.<ref>[http://www.iansa.org/regions/asiapacific/documents/SASPNGBackgroundPaper.doc] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101215132419/http://www.iansa.org/regions/asiapacific/documents/SASPNGBackgroundPaper.doc|date=15 December 2010}}</ref>
|-
| [[M1911 pistol|Colt M1911]]<ref name=Alpers/>
| {{USA}}
| Semi-automatic pistol
|
|-
! colspan="4" style="align: center; background: lavender;" | [[Submachine gun]]s
|-
| [[F1 submachine gun|F1]]<ref name=Alpers/>
| {{AUS}}
| [[Submachine gun]]
|
|-
| [[FN P90]]<ref name=Alpers/>
| {{BEL}}
| Submachine gun
|
|-
| [[Sterling submachine gun|Sterling]]<ref name=Capie>{{cite book|last=Capie|first=David|title=Under the Gun: The Small Arms Challenge in the Pacific|date=2004|pages=64–65|publisher=Victoria University Press|location=Wellington|isbn=978-0864734532 }}</ref>
| {{GBR}}
| Submachine gun
| 
|-
! colspan="4" style="align: center; background: lavender;" | [[Rifle]]s
|-
| [[FAMAS]]<ref name=Alpers/><ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/pngs-mutineers-trade-guns-for-amnesty/story-e6frg6so-1226257690011 | title=PNG's mutineers trade guns for amnesty | date=31 January 2012 | work=The Australian}}</ref>
| {{FRA}}
| [[Assault rifle]]
| 
|-
| [[M16 rifle|M16A2]]<ref name=Capie/>
| {{USA}}
| Assault rifle
| Standard service rifle of the PNGDF.<ref name=Capie/>
|-
| [[SA80|L85A1]]<ref name=Alpers/>
| {{GBR}}
| Assault rifle
|
|-
| [[SAR 80]]<ref name=Alpers/>
| {{SIN}}
| Assault rifle
|
|-
| [[SR 88]]<ref name=Capie/>
| {{SIN}}
| Assault rifle
|
|-
| [[Steyr AUG]]<ref name=Capie/>
| {{AUT}}
| Assault rifle
| 
|-
| [[IMI Galil#Galil_Sniper|Galatz]]<ref name=Alpers/>
| {{ISR}}
| [[Sniper rifle]]
| A variant of the IMI Galil rifle.
|-
| [[Heckler & Koch HK33]]<ref name=Alpers/>
| {{GER}}
| Assault rifle
|
|-
| [[Heckler & Koch G3]]<ref name=Capie/>
| {{GER}}
| [[Battle rifle]]
| 
|-
| [[L1A1 Self-Loading Rifle|L1A1 SLR]]<ref name=Capie/>
| {{GBR}}<br>{{AUS}}
| Battle rifle
|
|-
| [[Lee–Enfield]]<ref name=Alpers/>
| {{GBR}}
| [[Bolt action|Bolt-action rifle]]
|
|-
| [[Bushmaster XM-15]]<ref name=Alpers/><ref name=Capie/>
| {{USA}}
| [[Semi-automatic rifle]]
|
|-
! colspan="4" style="align: center; background: lavender;" | [[Machine gun]]s
|-
| [[L1A1 Self-Loading Rifle#Australia|L2A1]]<ref name=Alpers/>
| {{AUS}}
| [[Light machine gun]]
| Heavy-barrelled variant of the L1A1 SLR.<ref name=Alpers/>
|-
| [[Bren light machine gun#L4|Bren L4A4]]<ref name=Alpers/>
| {{GBR}}
| Light machine gun
| Sourced from Australia.<ref name=Alpers/>
|-
| [[Ultimax 100]]<ref name=Capie/>
| {{SIN}}
| Light machine gun
| Ultimax 100 Mk.2.<ref name=Alpers/>
|-
| [[FN MAG]]<ref name=Capie/>
| {{BEL}}
| [[General-purpose machine gun]]
| ''MAG-58'' variant.<ref name=Capie/>
|-
| [[M60 machine gun|M60]]<ref name=Capie/>
| {{USA}}
| General-purpose machine gun
| Sourced from Australia.<ref name=Capie/>
|-
| [[M2 Browning|Browning M2HB]]<ref name=Alpers/>
| {{USA}}
| [[Heavy machine gun]]
|
|-
! colspan="4" style="align: center; background: lavender;" | [[Explosive material|Explosive weapon]]s
|-
| [[RPG-7]]<ref name=Alpers/>
| {{USSR}}
| [[Rocket-propelled grenade]]
|
|-
| [[M203 grenade launcher|M203]]<ref name=Alpers/>
| {{USA}}
| [[Grenade launcher]]
| 
|}

==== Vehicles ====
{| class="wikitable"
! style="text-align:center; background:#aabccc;" |Name
! style="text-align: center; background:#aabccc;" |Origin
! style="text-align:l center; background:#aabccc;" |Type
! style="text-align:l center; background:#aabccc;" |Quantity
! style="text-align: center; background:#aabccc;" |Notes
|-
| [[WZ-551]]
| {{CHN}}
| [[Infantry fighting vehicle]]
| 4
| Donated by China<ref name="Connolly"/>
|}