PNG defence force to modernise

PNG Defence Force: Image credit: PNGDF

The Defence Force Ministry is seriously looking forward to re-modernise the Defence Force.

This includes increasing manpower from 2,000 military personnel to over 5,000 personnel by 2017, and identifying a company to set up a kit-stock system, through a public-private partnership, to supply uniforms to the force.

Defence Minister, Dr. Fabian Pok, says this is to ensure there is a system in place, where they do not buy uniforms on an adhoc basis.

Dr Pok says with the new arrangement, officers will use their allowances to buy uniforms from the kit-stock.

"Having system in place where we don't go head of wages to buy uniforms, but we buy assistant that will allow for us to system in place so that when a soldiers run out of uniforms will have an allowance to go and get uniforms from that good store and this includes the belt, shoe," Dr. Pok said.

Dr Pok says, a submission for this arrangement is now before the Cabinet for approval.