Papua New Guinea

Military Power Ranking 2025

MPR Rank: 134th
MPR SCORE: 230
MPR Index: 0.0597 (1.0000 is perfect)
Reverse MPR Index: 0.8911 (0.0000 is perfect)
Z Score: -0.579 (standard deviations above the mean)

Overview

Papua New Guinea ranks 134th globally in the 2025 Military Power Rankings. The Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) is a small, lightly equipped military with a primary focus on internal security, border protection, disaster relief, and supporting national development. While Papua New Guinea faces no conventional military threats, it occupies a strategic maritime position near Australia and the South Pacific, making its coastal surveillance and sovereignty enforcement responsibilities regionally important.

The PNGDF is structured into land, maritime, and air elements, though most of its operational capacity lies in its infantry battalions, coastal patrol vessels, and engineering units. The force plays a key role in protecting critical infrastructure, especially offshore oil and gas platforms, and participates in peacekeeping operations across the Pacific. Papua New Guinea benefits from defense partnerships with Australia, New Zealand, and the United States, which provide training, logistical support, and equipment donations.

Strengths

1. Regional Peacekeeping and Stability Operations

The PNGDF regularly contributes to Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) and UN peacekeeping missions, particularly in Solomon Islands, Bougainville, and Timor-Leste, developing strong credentials in regional stabilization.

2. Strong Australia-PNG Security Partnership

Papua New Guinea enjoys deep military cooperation with Australia, including joint exercises, infrastructure upgrades, and military assistance programs, which help compensate for the PNGDF’s limited domestic capacity.

3. Strategic Control of Maritime Zones and Resource Security

The PNGDF is tasked with safeguarding vast exclusive economic zones (EEZs), maritime borders, and energy infrastructure, particularly in the Gulf of Papua and surrounding resource basins.

Why Papua New Guinea Is Still Ranked 134th

1. Limited Force Size and Outdated Equipment

The PNGDF is small—around 2,500 active personnel—and operates with aging patrol boats, light infantry weapons, and no air strike or armored capability, severely limiting its deterrence and combat reach.

2. No Strategic Airlift, Navy, or Surveillance Capacity

Papua New Guinea has no fighter aircraft, minimal fixed-wing transport, and a non-expeditionary navy, relying on Australia and partners for regional logistics and maritime reconnaissance.

3. Structural Challenges and Limited Modernization

The PNGDF faces internal issues with retention, training sustainability, and infrastructure maintenance, with modernization programs largely donor-driven and vulnerable to budgetary fluctuations.

Conclusion

Papua New Guinea’s military plays a critical domestic and regional role, focused on border integrity, civil defense, and resource protection, despite its small size and technological limitations. The PNGDF’s value lies in its strategic location, peacekeeping experience, and bilateral support relationships, particularly with Australia, rather than in traditional warfighting strength. Its low ranking reflects capacity limitations, not its functional relevance within the South Pacific security architecture.

Military Strength and Force Projection

Active Military Personnel: 3,500 (IISS 2023)
Reserve Personnel: 500 (CIA World Factbook)
Paramilitary Forces: 5,000 (Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary)
Army Personnel: 2,500
Navy Personnel: 500
Air Force Personnel: 500

Ground Forces

Main Battle Tanks (MBTs): None
Armored Fighting Vehicles (AFVs): 50+
Artillery (Towed and Self-Propelled): 10+

Air Force

Combat Aircraft: None
Helicopters: 5+
Transport Aircraft: 3+

Aircraft Breakdown:

CN-235 Transport Aircraft: 2
Bell UH-1 Iroquois Helicopters: 3 (utility)

Naval Forces

Papua New Guinea’s navy focuses primarily on maritime security, protecting the country’s large exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and supporting disaster relief operations.

Patrol Vessels: 10+
Landing Craft: 3

Missile Capabilities

Papua New Guinea does not possess advanced missile systems or nuclear capabilities. Its military is focused on internal security, maritime defense, and supporting regional stability.

Strategic Partnerships

Papua New Guinea maintains defense cooperation agreements with Australia, which provides significant military aid, training, and equipment. The country is also a member of the Pacific Islands Forum and participates in regional security and peacekeeping missions. PNG’s defense force works closely with Australia on maritime security and disaster relief operations in the Pacific region.

Military History & Combat Experience

Papua New Guinea’s military history revolves around internal security, regional peacekeeping, and post-colonial nation-building, rather than involvement in conventional wars.

Founding and Colonial Transition (1973–1975):
The PNGDF was created during the country’s transition from Australian administration to independence, inheriting command structures, training protocols, and defense policies focused on internal stability and civil-military support.
Bougainville Crisis (1989–1998):
The PNGDF was engaged in a long and complex internal conflict in Bougainville, where secessionist forces clashed with the central government over resource rights and autonomy. The military faced difficulties operating in jungle terrain, leading to eventual peace negotiations and the deployment of regional peacekeepers.
Regional Peacekeeping Operations (2000s–present):
PNGDF personnel have contributed to missions in the Solomon Islands (RAMSI), Timor-Leste, and Vanuatu, often in logistics, engineering, and patrol roles, gaining international experience in low-intensity peace enforcement.
Disaster Relief and Civil Engineering Roles:
The PNGDF is a key player in natural disaster response, including earthquakes, landslides, and tsunamis. Engineering units are regularly deployed to restore infrastructure, conduct medical outreach, and assist in rural development.
Ongoing Maritime Security Challenges:
The PNGDF Maritime Element conducts regular patrols to combat illegal fishing, smuggling, and piracy in EEZ waters, though coverage is limited due to fleet shortages and aging platforms.

Papua New Guinea’s military experience reflects a focus on internal cohesion, peacekeeping diplomacy, and national resilience, supported by regional partnerships and a long-term commitment to stability and maritime sovereignty.

General Information

Demographics and Geography

Population: ~10.4 million (2024 est.)
Population Available for Military Service: ~3.8 million
Geographic Area: 462,840 km²
Land Boundaries: 820 km
Bordering Countries: Indonesia
Coastline: 5,152 km
Climate: Tropical; hot, humid; significant rainfall
Terrain: Mostly mountainous, with coastal lowlands and rolling foothills
Natural Resources: Gold, copper, oil, natural gas, timber, fish
Proven Oil Reserves: ~200 million barrels
Proven Natural Gas Reserves: ~7 trillion cubic feet

Economic Indicators

Defense Budget (2025): ~$400 million USD
Defense Budget as % of GDP: ~1.6%
GDP (PPP): ~$40 billion USD
GDP per Capita (PPP): ~$3,800
External Debt: ~$9 billion USD
Military Expenditure Trend (last 5 years): Gradual increase; maritime security focus

Military Infrastructure and Readiness

Military Service Obligation: Voluntary
Primary Defense Focus: Maritime patrol, internal security, disaster relief
Military Industry Base: Minimal; uniforms, logistics
Cyber/Electronic Warfare Capability: Very limited
Nuclear Warhead Inventory: None (non-nuclear state)
Major Military Districts / Commands: Divided under Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF)
Missile Inventory Highlights: None (light arms only)
Reservist Call-up Readiness / Timeline: Moderate; 30–60 days
Reservist Force Size: ~15,000

Space, Intelligence, and Strategic Infrastructure

Space or Satellite Programs: None
Military Satellite Inventory: None
Intelligence Infrastructure: National Intelligence Organization (NIO)
Intelligence Sharing Partnerships: Australia, U.S., Pacific Island partners
Airports (Total): ~578
Major Military Airports: Port Moresby, Lae

Naval Power and Maritime Logistics

Merchant Marine Fleet: ~20 vessels
Major Ports: Port Moresby, Lae, Madang
Naval Infrastructure: Coastal patrol boats, logistics support ships
Naval Replenishment Capability: Limited regional capacity

Domestic Mobility and Infrastructure

Railway Network: None
Roadways: ~30,000 km (majority unpaved)

Energy and Fuel Logistics

Oil Production: ~40,000 barrels/day
Energy Imports: Partial; LNG exports dominate
Strategic Petroleum Reserves: Maintains national reserves for emergencies

Defense Production and Strategic Forces

Domestic Defense Production: Limited to logistics and uniforms
Military Installations (Domestic): Port Moresby, Wewak, Lae
Military Installations (Overseas): None
Foreign Military Personnel Presence: Australian defense partnership personnel
Defense Alliances: Pacific Islands Forum, bilateral with Australia and U.S.
Strategic Airlift Capability: C-130 (leased/partner-supported), utility aircraft
Wartime Industrial Surge Capacity: Low

Research and Industry Support