Papua New Guinea Military - 2021

Military and security forces

Papua New Guinea Defense Force (PNGDF; includes land, maritime, and air elements) (2021)

Military expenditures

0.4% of GDP (2019)

0.4% of GDP (2018)

0.3% of GDP (2017)

0.4% of GDP (2016)

0.5% of GDP (2015)

Military and security service personnel strengths

the Papau New Guinea Defense Force has approximately 3,000 active duty troops, including a land element of about 2,500 (2020)

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions

the PNGDF has a limited inventory consisting of a diverse mix of foreign-supplied weapons and equipment; Papau New Guinea receives most of its military assistance from Australia; since 2010, it has also received equipment from China and New Zealand (2020)

Military service age and obligation

16 years of age for voluntary military service (with parental consent); no conscription; graduation from grade 12 required (2013)