The Tongan Maritime Force 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
Tāufaʻāhau Tupou IV (born Siaosi Tāufaʻāhau Tupoulahi; 4 July 1918 – 10 September 2006) was the King of Tonga, from the death of his mother, Queen Sālote Tupou III, in 1965 until his own death in 2006.
Immediately prior to his death, ...
, who also commissioned the first craft on that date.
The first craft was
VOEA ''Ngahau Koula'' (P101), followed by
VOEA ''Ngahau Siliva'' (P102) - the names mean ''Golden Arrow'' and ''Silver Arrow'' respectively.
They were crewed by volunteers, but are no longer in service.
Royal Yacht
* ''
Titilupe'' , Touliki Base,
Patrol Boat Flotilla
The ''Pacific''-class patrol craft were provided to Tonga by
Australia
Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...
as part of the Pacific Patrol Boat Program. The TDS' main base is
Touliki Base, in
Nuku'alofa.
, it has two Patrol vessels:
Logistic Support Flotilla
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
Fuaamotu International Airport is an international airport in Tonga. It is on the south side of the main island, Tongatapu, 20 km from the capital of Tonga, Nukualofa. Although named after the nearby village of Fuaʻamotu, which is on Tung ...
.
References
{{Reflist
Military of Tonga
Navies by country
1973 establishments in Tonga