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
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:
Joint Force HQ Tongan Land Force Tongan Royal Guards Royal Tongan Marines Tongan Maritime Force Tongan Air Wing Joint Logistics and Technical Support Unit Services Training School Territorial Force
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 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: Pacific Armies Management Seminar Pacific Area Senior Officers Logistics Seminar Western Pacific Naval Symposium International Hydrographic Organization South Pacific Hydrographic Commission NATO Codification, where though Pacific Codification System, Tonga and Fiji are sponsored by Australia
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 Pistol 9×19mm Parabellum Standard Pistol of HMAF Submachine guns Uzi Sub-machine gun 9×19mm Parabellum Donated by Israel in 1988. Used by Tongan Royal Guard and Tongan Maritime Force Assault rifles IMI Galil Assault rifle 5.56×45mm Donated by Israel in 1988. Version with all Plastic furniture and minus bipod fixture M4A1 Carbine rifle 5.56×45mm Standard service rifle of HMAF Grenade Launcher Attachment M203 grenade launcher Grenade launcher 40 mm grenade 20Used by Tongan Land Force Sniper Rifle M24 Sniper Weapon System Intermediate range sniper rifle. 7.62×51mm NATO 10 Standard sniper rifle of HMAF Machine guns M249 Squad automatic weapon 5.56×45mm NATO 20 Used by Tongan Land Force M2 Browning Heavy machine gun 12.7x99mm NATO 6 Used by Tongan Maritime Force on Guardian-class patrol boatZastava M55/20mm Cannon with Local Pattern Mount for Patrol Boat use 20 x 110mm Hispano2 x Triple BarrelPurchased by Tongan Government in 1990, Used by Tongan Maritime Force for adaptation as required to Patrol Boats.
Vehicles
ModelImageOriginTypeNumberNotes Wheeled vehicles Unimog U1700 Military truck 5 Five donated by Australia in 2018.
References
External links
Royal Tongan Marines are Camp Blue Diamond (Photo) US Department of State Background Note: Tonga Ted Harris, "Digger History - An unofficial history of the Australian & New Zealand Armed Services", 2004
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