Australia to upgrade PNG navy base on Manus Island
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Australia will invest millions of dollars in upgrading wharf facilities on Manus Island ahead of the gifting of new patrol boats to the PNG Defence Force.
FILE PHOTO (August 2013): Detention centre staff board an Australian landing craft at Lombrum Naval Base, Manus Island. Photo by Sergeant W Guthrie.
Minister for Defence Christopher Pyne said Australia was continuing its commitment to regional maritime security through an upgrade of wharf and shore-based infrastructure at Papua New Guinea’s Lombrum Naval Base.
“The $5 million contract with Fletcher Morobe Constructions Limited is part of the Australian government’s Pacific Maritime Security Program,” Minister Pyne said.
“Lombrum upgrades will support the safe and secure berthing of PNG’s four new Guardian-class patrol boats.
“The infrastructure works build upon existing security cooperation between the ADF and the PNG Defence Force, including a recently established $2 million communications centre at Lombrum.”
Minister Pyne said the Australia-PNG defence relationship was an enduring testament to our shared historical and cultural ties.
“Australia is proud to support the PNG Defence Force in strengthening their maritime security capability, and remains committed to our longstanding partnership.”
21 Guardian-class patrol boats are being gifted to 13 Pacific nations from 2018-2023 under the Pacific Maritime Security Program.
“The Pacific Maritime Security Program, which is also providing a regional aerial surveillance capability, is the cornerstone of Defence’s engagement in the Pacific, and strengthens partner capacity and regional maritime security,” Minister Pyne said.
RELATED STORY: Pacific Patrol Boat fleet to be replaced
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Share the post "Australia to upgrade PNG navy base on Manus Island"
This is a great knee jerk reaction to the Chinese military buildup… my question is as a former ADF member ,when we donate these 21 new vessels why can we not exchange old vessel for new vessels and donate them to Naval reserve Cadets….
Kids a floating around in tinnies!
Great idea gifting the old boats to the cadets, pitty is there sooo old that the parts went obsolete in 1985 when i was there at PBB Lombrum. what ever stock there was must be depleted by now.
novel for the cadets, just don’t give them garbage , like plastic hammer to a kid,not ever going to work,nothing better to disapoint a up and coming recruut .
Jv