” we get by with a little help from our friends “
The PI is indefensible and always was.
Its an archipelago that is easily crippled by anyone with dominance of the air and sea. Its a place that can be blockaded internally.
The only way it could, ever, defend itself was in alliance with a great power. It could never have the economic capacity to create and maintain navies and airforces sufficient to defend itself against an enemy great power.