By GEORGINA MICHAEL
Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defense, Richard Marles, today presented 12 armored vehicles worth more than K8 million to the PNG Defence Force (PNGDF).
The presentation was witnessed by PNG Defence Minister Dr Billy Joseph, Australian High Commissioner to PNG Ewan McDonald, PNGDF Commander Rear Admiral Philip Polewara, PNG Defence Secretary Ari John Akipe, PNGDF Deputy Commander Brigadier General Lari Opa and Deputy Chief of the Royal Australian Navy Rear Admiral Matt Buckley.
The armored vehicles would enhance PNGDF’s ability to respond to domestic security challenges and demonstrated the strong ties between PNGDF and the Australian Defence Force (ADF).
“It is an honor for me to be here in participating in the handover of these 12 vehicles to PNGDF,” Mr Marles said. “This is a commitment of three billion dollars to see these 12 vehicles constructed specifically for the PNGDF and will greatly enhance the capability of the PNGDF.
“They represent a moment where today the closeness of the Australian Defence Force and the PNGDF has never been greater, and we see this in so many different ways.
“We are seeing this in the fact that Exercise Talisman Sabre, the major exercise that the Australian Defence Force engages in every 2years, and for the first time conducted an element beyond the Australian shores here in PNG.”
“The defence to defence relationship is the heart of what is for Australia, one of the most significant relationships that we have on the planet, and that is our relationship with PNG, which is going to be framed significantly in five weeks’ time as we approach the 50th anniversary of the independence of PNG,” Mr Marles.
Dr Joseph responded: “Today we are honored, to be the recipient of 12 armored personal carriers.
“I would like to thank the people of Australia and the government of Australia and the leadership of Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister, Hon Richard Marles, who is here to present to us these armored for our Defense Force and this will go a long way for our Defence Force in building the capacity and capability of our Defence Force.”
The 12 vehicles included, three “Vader” vehicles and nine “Rhino” variants, and came with a quantity of spare parts to support maintenance.