Peter Hirihepe Ilau

Commodore (Rtd) Peter Hirihepe Ilau is a former Commander of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force and the first naval officer to hold that post. He led the PNGDF from 2001 to 2009, overseeing major institutional reforms and serving through a demanding period of national and regional security challenges. His career included maritime service, operations connected with Vanuatu and Bougainville, defence cooperation across the Pacific and Indo-Pacific, and the development of a more integrated joint force.

After retiring from military service, Ilau served as Papua New Guinea’s ambassador to Indonesia, Vietnam, and Laos, completing his diplomatic posting in 2018. He has also worked in business, strategic and national-security consulting, and higher education. He is a recipient of Papua New Guinea’s Distinguished Military Service Medal. Tides of Duty is his memoir of service, command, diplomacy, and nation-building.