Tongan Maritime Force
| Tonga Royal Navy | |
|---|---|
_-_RAN-IFR_2013_D3_75.jpg) The Tongan patrol boat VOEA Savea underway in Sydney Harbour in 2013. | |
| Active | 10 March 1973 |
| Country |  Tonga |
| Type | Navy |
| Role | Naval warfare |
| Size | 140 personnel[1] |
| Insignia | |
| Naval Ensign |  |
The Tonga Royal Navy is the naval arm of His Majesty's Armed Forces of Tonga.
History[edit]
The TDS was founded on 10 March 1973 by King Tāufaʻāhau Tupou IV, who also commissioned the first craft on that date.[2] The first craft was VOEA Ngahau Koula, followed by VOEA Ngahau Siliva - the names mean Golden Arrow and Silver Arrow respectively.[2] They were crewed by volunteers, but are no longer in service.[2]
Royal yacht[edit]
- Titilupe, Touliki Base
Patrol Boat Flotilla[edit]
The Pacific-class patrol craft were provided to Tonga by Australia as part of the Pacific Patrol Boat Program. The TDS' main base is Touliki Base, in Nuku'alofa.[2] As of September 2021[update], it has two patrol vessels:
| Type | Class | Origin | Displacement | Name | Pennant number | Commissioned | Homeport | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patrol boat | Guardian class |  Australia
|
VOEA Ngahau Koula | P301 | 2019 | Nukuʻalofa | ||
_at_Austal_shipyards_in_Henderson,_Western_Australia,_August_2020_01.jpg)
|
Patrol boat | Guardian class | Australia
|
VOEA Ngahau Siliva | P302 | 2021 | Nukuʻalofa |
Logistic Support Flotilla[edit]
| Type | Class | Origin | Displacement | Name | Pennant number | Commissioned | Homeport | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Landing craft mechanized | LCM-8 | Australia
|
113 tonnes |
VOEA Late | C315 | Nukuʻalofa | |
| Tanker |  France
|
4,000 tonnes |
VOEA Lomipeau | A301 | 1995 | Nukuʻalofa |
Marine Battalion[edit]
The Royal Tongan Marines is a single Battalion with a HQ and Support Company and 3 Light Infantry Companies, based at Fuaʻamotu.
Maritime Aviation[edit]
Maritime Aviation Wing based at Fuaʻamotu International Airport.
| Aircraft | Origin | Type | Versions | In service | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beechcraft G.18S |  USA
|
Search and rescue | SNB-1 Kansan | 1 | |
| American Champion Citabria | USA
|
Maritime patrol | 7KCAB | 1 |
References[edit]
- ^ "His Majesty's Armed Forces Corporate Plan & Budget 2020–2023" (PDF). Government of Tonga. 16 April 2020. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
- ^ a b c d Moore, John (1984). Jane's All The World's Fighting Ships. Jane's Publishing. p. 465. ISBN 0710607741.