Military wants to add 6000 soldiers

THE Papua New Guinea Defence Force hopes to increase its manpower to 10,000 this year from 4000 to improve security for the country.
Commander Major General Gilbert Toropo told The National that was one of the force’s main aims for the year.
“We want to improve the country’s security and also to establish more posts along the border to monitor activities and also provide security for our people,” he said
“But to do that we will need more manpower, so currently we are starting the process of recruiting new officers to join the Defence Force.”
Increasing personnel to 10,000 has been talked about for the last four years at least.
Toropo said after the last two years of high tempo activities of security to national elections in 2017 and Apec Leaders’ Summit last year, the Defence Force would try to improve its services to the people and build its manpower.
“We continue our presence up in Hela, Southern Highlands and Enga provinces due to the prevailing law and order situation in these provinces,” he said.
“And we’re also monitoring our land borders between PNG and Indonesia.”
Toropo said they would be improving their maritime services, thanks to the country’s bi-lateral partner Australia who had given the four new patrol boats.
“These boats will be used for monitoring and providing security for our maritime borders,” he said.