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Tongan Maritime Force

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The Tongan patrol boat VOEA Savea (P203) underway in Sydney Harbour in 2013.

The Tongan Maritime Force is the naval arm of the Tonga Defence Services. 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 2012, it has six vessels:


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 manned by volunteers, but are no longer in service.[1]

There is also a Naval Aviation Wing based at Fuaʻamotu International Airport.

Aircraft Origin Type Versions In service Notes
Victa Airtourer  New Zealand Maritime patrol 1 No longer in service
Beechcraft G.18S  USA Search and rescue 1
American Champion Citabria  USA Maritime patrol 1

References

  1. ^ a b c d Moore, John (1984). Jane's All The World's Fighting Ships. Jane's Publishing. p. 465. ISBN 0710607741.
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