The fully restored Lombrum Naval Base in Manus province was officially opened yesterday much to the delight of the Papua New Guinea Government, the Defence Force and the people of Manus. Prime Minister James Marape who was at the ceremony, described the official opening of the fully restored Lombrum Naval Base as a “historic and strategic leap” in Papua New Guinea’s defence capability, marking one of the most significant military infrastructure investments in the nation’s 50-year history. Speaking alongside Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, the Prime Minister expressed deep gratitude to the Government and people of Australia — particularly Australian taxpayers — for funding the AUD $500 million redevelopment of the facility. “This is not just a refurbishment; it is a game-changing investment,” Prime Minister Marape said. “Papua New Guinea is a nation blessed with over 3 million square kilometres of sovereign territory — both land and sea. Our maritime zone is rich in fisheries, forestry, energy, and biodiversity, but it is also vulnerable to illegal fishing, illicit trade, drug trafficking, unauthorized migration, and other forms of transnational crime." “A strong, well-resourced Navy is not optional — it is essential. And the restored Lombrum Naval Base is at the heart of building that strength.” Meanwhile, Prime Minister Marape reaffirmed his government’s target to expand the PNG Defence Force to 10,000 personnel by 2035 — made up of 7,000 regulars and 3,000 reservists — in order to meet the growing security demands of the nation’s vast territory and strategic location in the Pacific. “This investment is part of a bigger picture,” he said. “We are developing both our air and sea wings so that our Defence Force can operate effectively across all domains. Our goal is to give our men and women in uniform the right tools, the right facilities, and the right conditions to perform at their very best.”