Page "Papua New Guinea Defence Force" Paragraph 2

The PNGDF originated from the Australian Army land forces of the Territory of Papua New Guinea before independence, coming into being in January 1973 and having its antecedents in the Pacific Islands Regiment.

At independence it numbered 3, 750 all ranks, while another 465 Australian personnel augmented the force to assist in training and technical support.

Successive attempts to reduce the size of the PNGDF in response to the country's economic problems have provoked fierce resistance ; with the army mutinying in March 2001.

The government capitulated after 10 days to the mutineers ' demands, agreeing not to cut the army's strength.

However, in 2002 it was announced that the PNGDF would be reduced from 4, 000 to around 2, 100 personnel.

In early 2004 the government reaffirmed its commitment to implement cuts within the armed forces, with a definitive restructuring expected to take place.

Chief of Staff Captain Aloysius Tom Ur told troops in January 2004 that the 2004 strength of 3, 000 would be reduced by one-third, and that during 2004, the force's personnel branch would merge with the support branch into a new organisation.

Ultimately the reduction-in-size target was reached in 2007.