Exercise Wantok Warrior demonstrates strength of PNG, Australia defence relationship

Papua New Guinea Defence Force soldiers from the 2nd Royal Pacific Islands Regiment conduct live-fire sneaker lanes alongside Australian Army soldiers from the 1st Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment during Exercise Wantok Warrior in Townsville, Queensland.

SOLDIERS from the Papua New Guinea Defence Force's (PNGDF) Royal Pacific Islands Regiment (RPIR) have completed the Australia-based component of Exercise Wantok Warrior 2026, strengthening military skills and reinforcing the close defence partnership between Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Australia. 

Held in Townsville, Queensland, Exercise Wantok Warrior occurred alongside Exercise Southern Jackaroo. Exercise Wantok Warrior brought together soldiers from RPIR and the Australian Army's 3rd Brigade to enhance combat skills, teamwork and interoperability in demanding environments. Training focused on small-team tactics and decision-making. Soldiers practised tactical movement, threat identification, reactions under pressure, and trench and bunker clearance drills.

The shared training experience enabled PNG and Australian soldiers to build professional relationships, exchange knowledge and develop a stronger understanding of each other's operating methods, improving their ability to work together in future exercises and regional operations.

PNGDF Lieutenant Emolle Ryan, of 2RPIR, said the training had been challenging and rewarding.

“For many of us, this is our first time working in ASLAVs [Australian Light Armoured Vehicles], and it’s been an incredible learning experience,” Lieutenant Ryan said.

Despite demanding conditions, Lieutenant Ryan said the partnership was marked by strong camaraderie.

“We’re just happy to be here. It’s a privilege and we’re pretty humbled to be with the 2CAV guys. They’ve been superb and we’re really enjoying our time here,” Lieutenant Ryan said.

In a milestone, this was the first time the PNGDF had participated in a multinational mortar live fire activity, highlighting the opportunities for future interoperability training exercises. 

PNGDF Colonel Boniface Aruma, Deputy Commander Australian Army 3rd Brigade, described the experience of seeing this occur as an emotional one. 

“The live fire was significant is because it is the first time in the history of the PNGDF that its Mortars were able to participate in a multinational live fire exercise on foreign soil...I have been in the PNGDF now for over 30 years and I have never seen PNGDF Mortars in action, in fact, I thought I would never see the Mortars on the mortar line. So, it was quite emotional for me to see this capability been brought back to life,” Colonel Aruma said. 

“This exercise is a very crucial platform to opening the scope and enabling the PNGDF to understand how to integrate and operate with other likeminded partner nations,” he added. 

Exercise Wantok Warrior reflects the enduring defence partnership between Papua New Guinea and Australia, which has entered a new chapter through the Pukpuk Treaty. The Treaty elevates the defence relationship between the two nations to an Alliance and provides a framework for deeper cooperation and advanced training, capability development, security and regional stability. The second part of Exercise Wantok Warrior will take place in PNG in October.