Aerial drones will soon be helping the Papua New Guinea defence force with border surveillance.
Waters near the PNG / Indonesia border Photo: RNZI / Johnny Blades
PNG's 800 km border with Indonesia was closed three months ago to prevent the spread of Covid-19 but people are continuing to cross.
The newspaper, the National, reported PNG is procuring 28 Phantom drones through Australia's military.
Major-General Gilbert Toropo said the drones would be used by long range reconnaissance units and for border and maritime surveillance.
He said the drones were among recent improvements to PNG's military made possible by partnership with Australia.
"We have plans to build our capability but we can't do it alone and with our partnership, we have seen a lot of improvements," Maj-Gen Toropo said.
The border between Indonesia and Papua New Guinea is in a heavily forested region where illegal logging operations have persisted for years. Photo: RNZ / Johnny Blades