His Majesty's Armed Forces (Tonga)

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His Majesty's Armed Forces
File:Coat of arms of the Tonga Defence Services.svg
Coat of arms of His Majesty's Armed Forces
File:Flag of the Tonga Defence Services.svg
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[1]
Expenditure
Percent of GDP0.9% GDP (2006 est.)
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, China, India, New Zealand and Fiji. The co-operation aims at capacity development through training of HMAF personnel in leadership, academic and trades while 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

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Main article: Military history of Tonga
File:Tonga-Italian Capitulation Parade.jpg
TDF during the Italian capitulation parade

The military history of Tonga extends from World War I to the present day, with Tonga participating in World War I, World War II, and the Afghan war, among other conflicts.[2]

Components

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The main elements of *His Majesty's Armed Forces are:[3][4]

Tongan Royal Guards

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The Tongan Royal Guards are a company size infantry unit that are responsible for the security of His Majesty. and was established in 1860 under the Reign of King George Tupou I, The Royal Guard provides Royal Security for the monarch, Royal Palaces and members of the Royal Family of Tonga, Royal Guard participates in Ceremonial duties along with the Tonga Royal Corps of Musicians that serves as a military band for different occasions.

Royal Tongan Marines

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Main article: Royal Tongan Marines

The Royal Tongan Marine Infantry is organized as a Company size group with a HQ and three Infantry Platoons, based at Fua'amotu.[5]

Tongan Maritime Force

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Main article: Tongan Maritime Force
File:VOEA Savea (P203) - RAN-IFR 2013 D3 74.jpg
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, that is the royal yacht.[6] Tongan Maritime Force performs patrol missions, occasionally dealing with border violations, at the Minerva Reef and Tonga's restricted fishing zones.[2]

Tongan Air Wing

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Main article: Tongan Air Wing

On 4 May 1996 the Air Wing was created. A Beech 18 was taken into service. In 1999 a Citabria was obtained to help with training of the Beech 18.[7]

Territorial Force

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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 Prime 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

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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.[8]

Ranks

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Main article: Military ranks of Tonga

The ranks used by His Majesty's Armed Forces are similar to those used in other Commonwealth armed forces.[9]

Commanders

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Main article: Chief of the Defence Staff (Tonga)

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.[10]

Equipment

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Small arms

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Model Image Origin Type Calibre Number Notes
Handguns
Glock 17 File:Glock 17 (6825676904) без фона.jpg File:Flag of Austria.svg AUT Pistol 9×19mm Parabellum Standard Pistol of HMAF
Submachine guns
Uzi File:Uzi of the israeli armed forces.jpg File:Flag of Israel.svg ISR Sub-machine gun 9×19mm Parabellum Donated by Israel in 1988.[11] Used by Tongan Royal Guard and Tongan Maritime Force
Assault rifles
IMI Galil File:Galil.jpg File:Flag of Israel.svg ISR Assault rifle 5.56×45mm Donated by Israel in 1988.[11] Version with all Plastic furniture and minus bipod fixture
M4A1 File:M4A1 ACOG.png File:Flag of the United States.svg USA Carbine rifle 5.56×45mm Standard service rifle of HMAF
Grenade Launcher Attachment
M203 grenade launcher
File:PEO M203A2 Grenade Launcher.png
 File:Flag of the United States.svg USA Grenade launcher 40 mm grenade 20 Used by Tongan Land Force
Sniper Rifle
M24 Sniper Weapon System
File:PEO M24 SWS.jpg
 File:Flag of the United States.svg USA Intermediate range sniper rifle. 7.62×51mm NATO 10 Standard sniper rifle of HMAF
Machine guns
M249 File:M249 Automatic Rifle.jpg File:Flag of the United States.svg USA Squad automatic weapon 5.56×45mm NATO 20 Used by Tongan Land Force
M2 Browning File:PEO Browning M2E2 QCB (c1).jpg File:Flag of the United States.svg USA Heavy machine gun 12.7x99mm NATO 6 Used by Tongan Maritime Force on Guardian-class patrol boat
Zastava M55 File:Flag of Serbia.svg Serbia/File:Flag of Tonga.svg 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

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Model Image Origin Type Number Notes
Wheeled vehicles
Unimog U1700 File:Australian Army Unimog truck with digital camouflage.JPG File:Flag of Australia (converted).svg Australia Military truck 5 Five donated by Australia in 2018.[12]

References

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