Papua New Guinea became an independent Commonwealth nation in 1975. It
covers the eastern half of the mountainous island of New Guinea; the
Bismarck Archipelago, including New Britain and New Ireland; and other
adjacent islands; and Bougainville and Buka, which are part of the
Solomon Islands group. Port Moresby is the capital and chief port.
The native population is largely Melanesian and Papuan but is divided
into many distinct cultures. Some 700 languages are spoken, but pidgin
English is the lingua franca. The nation has a parliamentary government
with a governor-general, representing the British crown; a prime minister
and cabinet; and a unicameral, popularly elected parliament. Papua New
Guinea covers an area of some 475,369 sq km (183,540 sq mi) and has a
population of 4,496,221 (1997). The Papua New Guinea Defence Force
(PNGDF) naval arm was formed on 14 November 1974 just prior to PNGs
independence in 1975. It is located in the South West Pacific Ocean,
north of Australia.
Papua New Guinea
Where is Papua New Guinea? To find where Papua New Guinea is located in
the South West Pacific, just click on this link to the Map of Oceania and look
up longitude 150°E and latitude 10°S.
Pacific Class Large Patrol Boat
Displacement (tons): 162 Full Load
Dimensions (feet): 103.3 x 26.6 x 6.9 (31.5 x 8.1 x 2.1m)
Propulsion: 2 x Caterpillar 3516TA diesels, 2,820 hp, 2 shafts
Max. Speed (knots): 20
Armament: 1 x GAM-BO1 20mm, 2 x 7.62 mm MGs
Complement: 17
No. Name Commissioned Notes/Fate
P01 Tarangau 16/5/87 Active.
P02 Dreger 31/10/87 Active.
P03 Seeadler 29/10/88 Active.
P04 Basilisk 1/7/89 Active.
Note: Built as hull numbers 1, 3, 6 & 8 by Australian Shipbuilding
Industries (WA) Pty Ltd, for the Australian Government, as part of the
South Pacific Forum's Defence Co-operation Programme. One each at Port
Moresby, Lombrum (Manus Is.), Buka and Alotau.
Vosper Type Large Patrol Boats
Displacement (tons): 112 Standard, 142 Full Load
Dimensions (feet): 109.6 x 21 x 5.6 (33.5 x 6.4 x 1.8m)
Propulsion: 2 x MTU MD16V 538 TB90 diesels, 3,580 hp, 2 shafts
Max. Speed (knots): 32
Armament: 1 x 40mm, 1 x 20mm, 2 x 12.7 mm MGs
Complement: 19
No. Name Commissioned Notes/Fate
-- Aitape (II) 1971/97 Ex-RSS Sovereignty (P71). Active?
-- Samaria (II) 1971/97 Ex-RSS Daring (P73). Active?
-- Ladava (II) 1971/97 Ex-RSS Dauntless (P74). Active?
Note: Built by Vosper, Singapore. Ex-Singapore Navy.
Attack Class Large Patrol Boats
Displacement (tons): 146 Full Load
Dimensions (feet): 107.5 x 20 x 7.3 (32.8 x 6.1 x 2.2m)
Propulsion: 2 x Paxman 16YJCM diesels, 3,500 hp, 2 shafts
Max. Speed (knots): 24
Armament: 1 x 40mm, 1 x 20mm, 2 x 12.7 mm MGs
Complement: 18
No. Name Commissioned Notes/Fate
84 Aitape (I) 14/11/74 Ex-HMAS Aitape, comm'd 13/11/67.
Paid off 1982 and utilised as a
source of spares for the remaining
boats. Scuttled off PNG 8/1996.
85 Samaria (I) 14/11/74 Ex-HMAS Samaria, comm'd 1/3/68.
Deleted pre 1990.
92 Ladava (I) 14/11/74 Ex-HMAS Ladava, comm'd 21/10/68.
Deleted pre 1990.
93 Lae 14/11/74 Ex-HMAS Lae, comm'd 3/4/68.
Deleted pre 1990.
94 Madang 14/11/74 Ex-HMAS Madang comm'd 28/11/68.
Deleted 1992.
Note: Aitape built by Walkers Ltd, Maryborough, Queensland and the
remainder built by Evans Deakin & Co., Brisbane, Queensland. Ex-RAN
vessels gifted from Australia to PNG on independence.
Balikpapan Class Landing Craft Heavy
Displacement (tons): 311 Standard 503 Full Load
Dimensions (feet): 146 x 33 x 6.5 (44.5 x 10.1 x 2 metres)
Propulsion: 2 x GM V12 diesels, 1,350 hp, 2 shafts
Max. Speed (knots): 10
Armament: 2 x 12.7mm MGs
Lift Capacity: 150 tons. 3 x battle tanks, 20 x small trucks or
13 x APCs
Complement: 15
No. Name Commissioned Notes/Fate
31 Salamaua 14/11/74 Ex-HMAS Salamaua, comm'd 19/10/73.
Active, Port Moresby.
32 Buna 14/11/74 Ex-HMAS Buna, comm'd 7/12/73.
Active, Port Moresby.
Note: Built by Walkers Ltd, Maryborough, Queensland. Ex-RAN vessels
gifted from Australia to PNG on independence. Refitted during 1985/86.
Landing Craft
Displacement (tons): 12 Full Load
Dimensions (feet): 39.7 x 13.1 x 3 (12.1 x 4 x 0.9 metres)
Propulsion: 2 x Diesels, 150 hp, 2 shafts
Max. Speed (knots): 9
Armament: None
Complement: 3
No. Name Commissioned Notes/Fate
01 -- 1975 Active?
02 -- 1975 Active?
Note: Acquired from Australia in 1975.
Landing Craft
Displacement (tons): 725 Full Load
Dimensions (feet): 122 x 29.5 x 7.9 (37.2 x 9 x 2.4m)
Propulsion: 2 x Deutz MWM BA6M816 Diesels, 930 hp, 2 shafts
Max. Speed (knots): 9
Armament: None
Lift Capacity: 500 tons.
Complement: 18
No. Name Commissioned Notes/Fate
-- Burtide 1981 Active?
-- Burcrest 1981 Active?
-- Bursea 1981 Active?
-- Burwave 1981 Active?
Note: Built by Sing Koon Seng Yard, Singapore. Civilian manned.
Naval Tug
Displacement (tons): 47 Full Load
Dimensions (feet): 50 x 15 x 6.9 (15.2 x 4.6 x 1.1m)
Propulsion: 2 x GM 671E Diesels, 340 hp, 2 shafts
Max. Speed (knots): 9
Armament: None
Complement: 8
No. Name Commissioned Notes/Fate
503 -- 14/11/74 Active?
Note: Built by Perrin Engineering, Brisbane, Queensland in 1972.
Buoy Tender
Displacement (tons): 944 Full Load
Dimensions (feet):
Propulsion:
Max. Speed (knots): 12
Armament: None
Complement: ?
No. Name Commissioned Notes/Fate
-- Sepura 14/12/82 Active?
Note: Built by Sing Koon Seng Yard, Singapore. Civilian manned.
Pilot/Patrol Boat
Displacement (tons): ? Full Load
Dimensions (feet): Davara 12m, Nancy Daniel 8.2m
Propulsion:
Max. Speed (knots): 12
Armament: None
Complement: ?
No. Name Commissioned Notes/Fate
-- Davara 3/89 Active?
-- Nancy Daniel 3/89 Active?
Note: Built by Sing Koon Seng Yard, Singapore. Civilian manned.
(Back To Top)
Samoa 
Palau
Back to Main Page
Copyright � 1 January, 2003,
Terry M. Walsh,
All rights reserved.