The Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) restructuring exercise will see the office of the Commander and Chief of Staffs restructured and then down to the other branches.
Commander Defence Force (CDF) Major General, Gilbert Toropo, announced yesterday that the Office of the Commander will have two deputy Chief of Staff under a new structure: Deputy Chief of Defence Operations and Deputy Chief of Defence Administrations.
Toropo said this restructure will take place over the festive season break and will signify the shift from current standard of operation, to moving the defence force to a new level under the “Force 2030” plan.
“The Force 2030 plan is a good plan to modernise the PNG Defence Force so that we are better structured and we build our capabilities to conduct our core tasks, that includes maritime security, land security, internal security as well as one of our important key activities that will also comprise of these changes, the nation building program activities, which also includes a reserve force that we want to incorporate the national youth development program with,” said the CDF.
The plan is to create a professional military organisation that is capable of handling internal matters and engaging in overseas missions. But this will require funding and other support from the government and from partners, like Australia and New Zealand, said the Commander.
This is because the restructure will see the expansion of the force as well and that will require equipment and new military bases to cater for the manpower.
“Because we believe that with this restructuring, it will really help our people internally with nation building activities, so we need every government support where possible.”
“Our partners have been made aware of it and are willing to come on board the journey we’ve started and they have been part of this planning process, so we are happy with the support they have given, especially Australia, New Zealand.”
Meanwhile, CDF Toropo also said the United States is looking at partnering the PNGDF as well, which is a welcoming news especially at this time.