His Majesty's Armed Forces (Tonga)

His Majesty's Armed Forces
Coat of arms of His Majesty's Armed Forces
Flag of the Armed Forces
MottoTerra Marique (Latin)
("Land and Sea")
Founded1939
Current form2013
Service branchesLand Force
Maritime Force
Air Wing
HeadquartersVilai Barracks, Nuku'alofa
Leadership
Commander-in-ChiefHM King Tupou VI
Minister for HMAFTupoutoʻa ʻUlukalala
Chief of Defense StaffBrigadier General Lord Fielakepa
Personnel
Military age18
ConscriptionNone
Active personnel750
Expenditure
Percent of GDP0.9% GDP (2006 est.)
Industry
Foreign suppliers Austria
 Australia
 Israel
 Serbia
 United States
Related articles
RanksMilitary ranks of Tonga

His Majesty's Armed Forces (HMAF) is the military of Tonga. It is composed of three operational components and two support elements (logistics and training). The mission of HMAF is to "Defend the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Tonga".

The HMAF is partially supported by defence co-operation agreements with Australia, the United States, New Zealand, India, and Fiji. The co-operation aims to train HMAF personnel in leadership, academics, and trades. Support for infrastructure development is another part of the security co-operation.

Since 2001, members of HMAF have supported the coalition of the willing in Operation Iraqi Freedom, the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, and the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands.

History

TDF during the Italian capitulation parade

The military history of Tonga extends from before European contact to the present day, with Tonga participating in World War I, World War II, and the Afghan war, among other conflicts.

Components

The main elements of His Majesty's Armed Forces are:

Tongan Royal Guards

The Tongan Royal Guards are a company-sized infantry unit, which was established in 1860 under the reign of King George Tupou I. The Royal Guard provides security for the Tongan monarch, palaces, and members of the royal family. The unit also participates in ceremonial duties, along with the Tonga Royal Corps of Musicians, which serves as a military band for different occasions.

Royal Tongan Marines

The Royal Tongan Marine Infantry is organized as a company-sized group, with a headquarters and three infantry platoons, and is based at Fua'amotu.

Tongan Maritime Force

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

The Maritime Force is equipped with two Guardian-class patrol boats, provided by Australia under the Pacific Maritime Security Program, a Landing Craft, and a motor boat serving as the royal yacht. The Tongan Maritime Force performs patrol missions, and occasionally deals with border violations at the Minerva Reef and in Tonga's restricted fishing zones.

Tongan Air Wing

On 4 May 1996 the Air Wing was created, and a Beech 18 was taken into service. In 1999 a Citabria was obtained to help with training of the Beech 18.

Territorial Force

Territorial Force is a component of HMAF alongside the Regular Force and active reserve. Its duties are outlined in the HMAF Act 1992 and HMAF Regulations 1994. The primary mission of the Territorial Force is to maintain internal order and provide support to civil authorities, including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

International Defence Organisations

The HMAF is a member of the following international defence organisations:

Tonga has an agreement to share "disaster response knowledge" with the United States Nevada National Guard.

Ranks

The ranks used by His Majesty's Armed Forces are similar to those used in other Commonwealth armed forces.

Commanders

Until 2013, commanders were called Commander of the Tongan Defence Services. After 2013, they are now called Chief of the Defence Staff of the HMAF.

Equipment

Small arms

Model Image Origin Type Calibre Number Notes
Handguns
Glock 17  AUT Pistol 9×19mm Parabellum Standard Pistol of HMAF
Submachine guns
Uzi  ISR Sub-machine gun 9×19mm Parabellum Donated by Israel in 1988. Used by Tongan Royal Guard and Tongan Maritime Force
Assault rifles
IMI Galil  ISR Assault rifle 5.56×45mm Donated by Israel in 1988. Version with all Plastic furniture and minus bipod fixture
M4A1  USA Carbine rifle 5.56×45mm Standard service rifle of HMAF
Grenade Launcher Attachment
M203 grenade launcher
 USA Grenade launcher 40 mm grenade 20 Used by Tongan Land Force
Sniper Rifle
M24 Sniper Weapon System
 USA Intermediate range sniper rifle. 7.62×51mm NATO 10 Standard sniper rifle of HMAF
Machine guns
M249  USA Squad automatic weapon 5.56×45mm NATO 20 Used by Tongan Land Force
M2 Browning  USA Heavy machine gun 12.7x99mm NATO 6 Used by Tongan Maritime Force on Guardian-class patrol boat
Zastava M55  Serbia/ Tonga 20mm Cannon with Local Pattern Mount for Patrol Boat use 20 x 110mm Hispano 2 x Triple Barrel Purchased by Tongan Government in 1990, Used by Tongan Maritime Force for adaptation as required to Patrol Boats.

Vehicles

Model Image Origin Type Number Notes
Wheeled vehicles
Unimog U1700  Australia Military truck 5 Five donated by Australia in 2018.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Tonga Defence Services (His Majesty's Armed Forces)". globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  2. 1 2 "Name Change". Archived from the original on 4 September 2014. Retrieved 4 September 2014.
  3. ↑ "HMAF Organisation". Tonga Ministry of Information & Communications. Archived from the original on 6 September 2016. Retrieved 28 October 2016.
  4. ↑ Moore, John (1984). Jane's All The World's Fighting Ships. Jane's Publishing. p. 465. ISBN 0710607741.
  5. ↑ "His Majesty's Armed Forces of Tonga – Aeroflight". 2 May 2016. Retrieved 9 June 2024.
  6. ↑ Fournier, Dennis (May 2014). "State begins partnership with Kingdom of Tonga". National Guard. Vol. 68, no. 4. National Guard Association of the United States. p. 39. Archived from the original on 6 June 2014. Retrieved 5 June 2014.
  7. ↑ Millen, P.G. (June 1983). The Visiting Forces (Relative Ranks) Regulations (PDF). Wellington: Government of New Zealand. p. 49. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  8. ↑ "Tonga Defence Services (Amendment) Act 2013" (PDF). paclii.org. p. 6. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  9. 1 2 Capie, David (2004). Under the Gun: The Small Arms Challenge in the Pacific. Wellington: Victoria University Press. pp. 68–69. ISBN 978-0864734532.
  10. ↑ "Tongan Marines join Australian Forces in amphibious exercise". 15 June 2018. Archived from the original on 10 February 2019. Retrieved 10 February 2019.