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 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.

References

{{Reflist Military of Tonga Navies by country 1973 establishments in Tonga