Tongan Maritime Force

The Tonga Royal Navy is the naval arm of His Majesty's Armed Forces of Tonga.

Tonga Royal Navy
The Tongan patrol boat VOEA Savea underway in Sydney Harbour in 2013.
Active10 March 1973
Country Tonga
TypeNavy
RoleNaval warfare
Size140 personnel[1]
Insignia
Naval Ensign

History

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

Patrol Boat Flotilla

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, 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
Patrol boat Guardian class  Australia VOEA Ngahau Siliva P302 2021 Nukuʻalofa

Logistic Support Flotilla
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

The Royal Tongan Marines is a single Battalion with a HQ and Support Company and 3 Light Infantry Companies, based at Fuaʻamotu.

Maritime Aviation

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
  1. "His Majesty's Armed Forces Corporate Plan & Budget 2020–2023" (PDF). Government of Tonga. 16 April 2020. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
  2. Moore, John (1984). Jane's All The World's Fighting Ships. Jane's Publishing. p. 465. ISBN 0710607741.
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