Prime Minister James Marape has inaugurated the redeveloped Lombrum Naval Base, hailing the AUD $500 million facility as a transformative investment in Papua New Guinea’s maritime sovereignty during the nation’s 50th anniversary year.
The upgraded strategic outpost – funded by Australia and unveiled alongside Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles – marks PNG’s largest military infrastructure project since independence, designed to combat illegal fishing, drug trafficking and regional security threats across its 3 million square kilometre domain.
"For decades, Lombrum’s potential was hampered by neglect," Marape told assembled dignitaries at the Manus Island ceremony, referencing the base’s storied WWII history. "Today, we activate a 21st-century facility capable of hosting modern naval operations and securing our resource-rich waters."
The overhaul delivers critical upgrades including modernised barracks, expanded vessel maintenance capacity, and advanced command systems – core components of PNG’s plan to grow its Defence Force to 10,000 personnel by 2035.
Marape framed the project as both a national security imperative and a keystone of Pacific regional cooperation: "This base will enhance joint maritime surveillance, disaster response, and stability operations with Australia and our neighbours."
The Prime Minister reserved particular praise for Australian taxpayers, whose funding he said represented "an investment in shared Pacific prosperity". The timing carries symbolic weight, with the opening occurring as PNG celebrates five decades of independence.
Analysts view Lombrum’s revival as reinforcing PNG’s strategic position amid intensifying great power competition in the Pacific, while addressing chronic underinvestment in maritime policing capacity. Recent years have seen rampant illegal fishing in PNG waters, with the government estimating annual losses exceeding $200 million.
The base is expected to become operational within months, with the first cohort of PNGDF personnel commencing training this quarter. Defence Minister Dr Billy Joseph confirmed plans to station new Guardian-class patrol boats at Lombrum by early 2026.