Tongan Maritime Force
| Tonga Royal Navy | |
|---|---|
_-_RAN-IFR_2013_D3_75.jpg/1280px-VOEA_Savea_(P203)_-_RAN-IFR_2013_D3_75.jpg) The Tongan patrol boat VOEA Savea (P203) underway in Sydney Harbour in 2013. | |
| Active | 10 March 1973 |
| Country |  Tonga |
| Type | Navy |
| Role | Naval warfare |
| Insignia | |
| Naval Ensign |  |
_-_RAN-IFR_2013_D3_75.jpg){kind=link}
The Tonga Royal Navy is the naval arm of His Majesty's Armed Forces of Tonga.
History
The TDS was founded on 10 March 1973 by King Tāufaʻāhau Tupou IV, who also commissioned the first craft on that date.[1] The first craft was VOEA Ngahau Koula (P101), followed by VOEA Ngahau Siliva (P102) - the names mean Golden Arrow and Silver Arrow respectively.[1] They were crewed by volunteers, but are no longer in service.[1]
Royal Yacht
- Titilupe , Touliki Base,
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.[1] As of September 2021[update], it has two Patrol vessels:
| Type | Class | Origin | Displacement | Name | Pennant number | Commissioned | Homeport | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patrol Boat | Guardian-class patrol boat |  Australia
|
VOEA Ngahau Koula | P301 | 2019 | Nukuʻalofa | ||
_at_Austal_shipyards_in_Henderson,_Western_Australia,_August_2020_01.jpg/1280px-VOEA_Ngahau_Siliva_(P302)_at_Austal_shipyards_in_Henderson,_Western_Australia,_August_2020_01.jpg)
|
Patrol Boat | Guardian-class patrol boat | Australia
|
VOEA Ngahau Siliva | P302 | 2021 | Nukuʻalofa |
_at_Austal_shipyards_in_Henderson,_Western_Australia,_August_2020_01.jpg){kind=link}
Logistic Support Flotilla
| Type | Class | Origin | Displacement | Name | Pennant number | Commissioned | Homeport | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Landing Craft Mechanized | LCM-8 | Australia
|
113 tonnes |
VOEA Late (C315) | C315 | Nukuʻalofa | |
| Tanker |  France
|
4,000 tonnes |
VOEA Lomipeau (A301) | 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
- ^ a b c d Moore, John (1984). Jane's All The World's Fighting Ships. Jane's Publishing. p. 465. ISBN 0710607741.