The Tonga Defence Services (TDS) is the 450-person armed force of Tonga. It comprises three operational command components and two support elements (logistics and training groups) and police. The force's mission is to assist in maintenance of public order, to patrol coastal waters and fishing zones, and to engage in civic action and national development projects. The main base of operations is the capital, Nuku'alofa.

The TDS is partially supported by defence cooperation agreements with both Australia and New Zealand, which support the TDS with small in-country detachments of military technicians. The United States military provides training to the TDS and conducts humanitarian civic action projects in Tonga.

Organization

The TDS is organized in a unified command system. It consists of three forces, the Regular Force, the Territorial Force and the Active Reserve. The three main component units of the Regular Force are the Land Force, Support TDS, and Navy. The Territorial Force and Reserve Force are under the direct control of the Headquarters, TDS.

Components

• Royal Tongan Marines
• Tongan Royal Guards
• Maritime Force
• Royal Corps of Musicians (ROCOM)

Ships of TDS Maritime Force

• VOEA Neiafu (P201) - Pacific-class patrol boat
• VOEA Pangai (P202) - Pacific-class patrol boat
• VOEA Savea (P203) - Pacific-class patrol boat
• VOEA Lomipeau (A301) - coastal tanker
• VOEA Late (C315) - LCM-8 type, logistic barge
• Titilupe - Royal Yacht

The Pacific-class patrol craft were provided to Tonga by Australia as part of the Pacific Patrol Boat Program.

Naval Aviation

• 1x Beech G18S
• 1x American Champion Citabria

International Defence Organisations

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

• Pacific Armies Management Seminar (PAMS)
• Pacific Area Senior Officers Logistics Seminar (PASOLS)
• Western Pasific Naval Symposium (WPNS)
• International Hydrographic Organisation (IHO)
• South Pacific Hydrographic Commission (SPHC)
• NATO Codification (PCS), where though Pacific Codification System, Tonga and Fiji are sponsored by Australia
• UN

History of Tonga Armed Forces

In World War I, Tonga participated as part of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force.

The Tonga Defence Force (TDF) came into existence at the beginning of World War II in 1939. In 1943 New Zealand help train two Tongan contingents of about 2000 troops, who saw action in the Solomon Islands. In addition, New Zealand and US troops were stationed on Tongatapu, which became a staging point for shipping.

At the end of World War II, the TDF was disbanded, but was reactivated in 1953.

Prime Minister Prince Lavaka Ata 'Ulukalala joined the naval arm of the Tonga Defense Service in 1982 and became Lieutenant-Commander of the defense force in 1987. From 1990 to 1995 he commanded the PPB VOEA Pangai and his time in charge included peacekeeping operations in Bougainville. In 1998 he ended his military career in order to take over from his brother Tupouto'a, who retired as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defense.

In 2002, TDS soldiers were deployed as part of a multi-national regional peacekeeping force in the Solomon Islands. As of July 2004, 45 members of the TDS were serving in the Solomon Islands.

In March 2003 Military to Military talks began between Tonga and the United States about Tonga providing troops for the Multinational force in Iraq. As the final support arrangements were finally in place May 2004, 45 Royal Tongan Marines led by the Chief of Defense of the Tonga Defense Services, Colonel Tau’aika ‘Uta’atu , departed Tonga on the 13th of June 2004. As of July 2004, the Royal Tonga Marines were augmenting the 1st Marine Expeditionary Forces (MEF) in the Al Anbar Province of Iraq. Tonga first served with the 1st MEF on the Solomon Island during World War II. [1]

References

• [2]
• CIA World Factbook
• US Department of State Background Note: Tonga
• Ted Harris, "Digger History - An unofficial history of the Australian & New Zealand Armed Services", 2004 http://www.diggerhistory.info/pages-badges/tonga.htm

External links

• Tongan Defense Homepage