| Commander of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force | |
|---|---|
Emblem of the Defence Force | |
| Ministry of Defence | |
| Status | Active |
| Member of | Papua New Guinea Defence Force |
| Reports to | The Honourable Fabian Pok, Minister of Defence |
| Appointer | |
| Formation | 1975 |
| First holder | Ted Diro |
The Commander of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force is the highest-ranking military officer of in the Papua New Guinea Defence Force, who is responsible for maintaining the operational command of the military. The current commander is Brigadier general Gilbert Toropo.
| No. | Portrait | Commander | Took office | Left office | Time in office | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brigadier general Ted Diro (born 1943) | 1975 | 1981 | 5–6 years | ||
| 2 | Brigadier general Gago Mamae | 1981 | 1983 | 1–2 years | ||
| 3 | Brigadier general Ken Noga (?–2014) | 1983 | 1985 | 1–2 years | ||
| 4 | Brigadier general Tony Huai | 1985 | 1987 | 1–2 years | ||
| 5 | Brigadier general Rochus Lokinap | 1987 | November 1992 | 4–5 years | ||
| 6 | Brigadier general Robert Dademo | November 1992 | ? | ? | ||
| (4) | Brigadier general Tony Huai | ? | 1995 | ? | ||
| 7 | Brigadier general Jerry Singirok (born 1956) | 1995 | 17 March 1997 | 1–2 years | ||
| - | Colonel Alfred Aikung Acting | 17 March 1997 | 1997 | 0 years | ||
| 8 | Brigadier general Leo Nuia | 1997 | 1998 | 0–1 years | ||
| (7) | Brigadier general Jerry Singirok (born 1956) | 1998 | 1999 | 0–1 years | ||
| 9 | Brigadier general Carl Malpo (?–2009) | 1999 | ? | ? | ||
| 10 | Commodore Peter Ilau (born 1959) | 2001 | 2009 | 8 | ||
| - | Brigadier general Francis Agwi (born 1963) Acting | 2010 | 2010 | 0 years | ||
| 11 | Brigadier general Francis Agwi (born 1963) | 2010 | December 2013 | 2–3 years | ||
| 12 | Major General Gilbert Toropo | 31 January 2014 | Incumbent | 12 years |