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Australia officially opens His Majesty’s Papua New Guinea Naval Base Tarangau with Papua New Guinea during the conclusion of a recent diplomatic visit.
Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles attended the opening of HMPNGS Tarangau, also known as the Lombrum Naval Base, as the largest security infrastructure project delivered by Australia in the Pacific.
The base, delivered under the Lombrum Joint Initiative, is expected to enable the Papua New Guinea Defence Force to grow and develop its sovereign capabilities as well as respond to security priorities.
The new naval base includes working and living accommodations for the PNGDF, a medical centre, water and sewerage services and upgraded maritime infrastructure, including barge landing ramps, office infrastructure, a guard house and headquarters building, as well as combined mess facilities able to accommodate around 200 sailors and officers.
“Australia is committed to partnering with Papua New Guinea to build their sovereign capabilities and enable them to respond to their own security needs,” Minister Marles said.
“Our shared geography and history interests make Papua New Guinea and Australia natural partners, and Australia is pleased to see this partnership growing even further in 2025.
“The Australian Defence Force and Papua New Guinea Defence Force continue to work together to enhance the interoperability between our two countries, respond to our shared strategic challenges in support of a peaceful, stable and prosperous region.”
The completion of HMPNGS Tarangau will also provide further opportunities for Australia and PNG to increase interoperability and cooperation through joint training, exercises and ship visits.
During his visit to PNG, the Deputy Prime Minister also handed over 12 up-armoured LandCruisers to the Papua New Guinea Defence Force. The lightweight vehicles are expected to allow PNGDF personnel to move securely and respond with agility to domestic security challenges.
This visit comes just one week after the conclusion of Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 which marked the first time a component of the exercise was held outside Australia, in Papua New Guinea.
Australia and PNG are further strengthening ties through the ongoing negotiation of a defence treaty announced by the Deputy Prime Minister and Papua New Guinea Minister for Defence, Dr Billy Joseph, in February 2025.
