PNGDF restructure plan complete, says Polewara

A PLAN to restructure the Papua New Guinea Defence Force into the army, navy and air force has been completed, says the acting Chief of Defence Force Commodore Philip Polewara.
He last week received the completed plan from the force capability development branch. It included a defence council submission to be approved by Cabinet.
The force capability development branch was tasked with planning the restructure in 2018 to expand the force.
The idea was highlighted 23 years ago when the first PNGDF Defence White Paper was released.
Force capability development branch chief Captain Peter Tupma stressed that “the planning phase of the restructure work is complete, and the authorization phase now begins and must be pursued through the defence council”.
“When approved, other branches will be involved to oversee the implementation of the new structure,” he said.
Polewara assured the team that he would ensure that the plan was approved and implemented.
“I will take it to the next level. The Chief of Defence Force supports this project,” he said.