Volcani Tura

The VTDF Land Forces consist of two motorized infantry regiments, a signals company, a long-range reconnaissance unit, an engineer battalion, an EOD unit, and a preventative health platoon. The infantry regiments are descended from the Australian Army infantry battalions formed from native soldiers and Australian officers and non-commissioned officers in the territories during WW2 to help fight against the Japanese. Disbanded after the war, the regiments were re-raised in 1951 as part of the Australian Army and continued to serve until Volcani Tura gained its independence in 1975, when they became part of the VTDF. Land forces are lightly equipped, operating older equipment and weapons, which they have received from a variety of sources over the years, reflecting its close ties with its partners and the shared security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region. Although the use of artillery was rejected in the 20th century due to the country’s mountainous geography, heavy rain forest, and the nation's underdeveloped transport infrastructure, two artillery battalions were raised in the early 2000s and equipped with the L119 105mm light gun donated by the Australians.

The VTDF faces a range of challenges that can impact its readiness, including chronic resource constraints, personnel shortages, equipment and technology limitations, infrastructure challenges to name a few. These challenges are complex and interrelated, and they require ongoing attention and investment to address. The VTDF, with the support of its partners, is working to address these challenges and to build the capacity and capability required to fulfil its role and to promote regional security and stability.

The VTDF Maritime Element (ME) is responsible for protecting VT's maritime interests and ensuring the security of its extensive coastline and exclusive economic zone. The ME is a key component of the VTDF and plays a critical role in supporting the force's mission to protect the people and territory of VT and to promote regional stability and security. The Maritime Element operates equipment with a range of capabilities operating four LCM-8 landing craft and four Guardian Class patrol boats.

The role of the air element is to support army operations with close air support and ISR capabilities, transport, air resupply, and medical evacuation capabilities. With the acquisition of two P-3 Orion aircraft in 2020, it is now capable of conducting maritime surveillance missions. The VTDF’s air element consists of a close air support squadron equipped with turboprop aircraft, an air transport squadron that provides both medium and light airlift capabilities, a rotary squadron equipped and a maritime squadron equipped with two aging P-3 Orion aircraft crewed by RAAF and contracted personnel. Element operates primarily with older aircraft, and like the VTDF in general suffers from chronic equipment shortages and underfunding, but probably even more so than the other two branches. While there have been discussions to obtain newer equipment, mainly through leasing, there is limited funding for this to happen. 

VT's cybersecurity infrastructure is relatively weak, leaving it vulnerable to cyberattacks, data breaches, and other forms of cybercrime. This can have serious consequences for individuals, businesses, and the government. VT's cyberspace is vulnerable to the spread of disinformation and misinformation, which can undermine trust in institutions, polarize society, and incite violence. VT is reliant on international capabilities provided by Australia, New Zealand and the US to protect is cyber networks.

VT does not have a dedicated space capability and relies on international capabilities, particularly that of the US, for space based communications and navigation.