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Military of Tonga From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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 groups).
| His Majesty's Armed Forces | |
|---|---|
 Coat of arms of His Majesty's Armed Forces | |
Flag of the Armed Forces | |
| Motto | Terra Marique (Latin) ("Land and Sea") |
| Founded | 1939 |
| Current form | 2013 |
| Service branches | Tongan Land Component Maritime Force Tongan Air Wing Tongan Training Command Tongan Support Unit |
| Headquarters | Vilai Barracks, Nuku'alofa |
| Leadership | |
| Commander-in-Chief | HM King Tupou VI |
| Minister for HMAF | Siaosi Sovaleni |
| Chief of Defense Staff | Brigadier General Lord Fielakepa |
| Personnel | |
| Military age | 18 |
| Conscription | None |
| Available for military service | 34,254 males, age 16-49 (2010 est.), 32,974 females, age 16-49 (2010 est.) |
| Fit for military service | 27,404 males, age 16-49 (2010 est.), 28,509 females, age 16-49 (2010 est.) |
| Reaching military age annually | 1,448 males (2010 est.), 1,392 females (2010 est.) |
| Active personnel | 500[1] |
| Expenditure | |
| Percent of GDP | 0.9% GDP (2006 est.) |
| Related articles | |
| Ranks | Military ranks of Tonga |
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, and New Zealand. 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.
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]
The main elements of HMAF are:[3][4]
_-_RAN-IFR_2013_D3_74.jpg)
The Maritime Force is equipped with two Guardian-class patrol boats, a tanker, a Landing Craft Mechanised and a motor boat that is the royal yacht.[5] Tongan Maritime Force performs patrol missions, occasionally dealing with border violations, at the Minerva Reef and Tonga's restricted fishing zones.[2]
The Royal Tongan Marine Infantry is organized as a single Battalion size group with a HQ and 3 Light Infantry Companies, based at Fua'amotu.[6]
The Tongan Royal Guards are a company size unit that are responsible for the security of His Majesty. The Royal Guard maintains a musical unit known as the Tonga Royal Corps of Musicians that serves as a military band for different occasions.
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]
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.[8]
The ranks used by His Majesty's Armed Forces are similar to those used in other Commonwealth armed forces.[9]
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]
| Model | Image | Origin | Type | Calibre | Number | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Handguns | ||||||
| Glock 17 | _без_фона.jpg) |
 AUT |
Pistol | 9×19mm Parabellum | ||
| Bolt-action rifles | ||||||
| Lee Enfield No.4 |  |
 UK |
Bolt-action rifle | .303 | Acquired from New Zealand; many remain unissued and in storage.[11] | |
| Submachine guns | ||||||
| Uzi |  |
 ISR |
Sub-machine gun | 9×19mm Parabellum | ||
| Assault rifles | ||||||
| FN FNC |  |
 BEL |
Assault rifle | 5.56×45mm | Standard service rifle of Tonga.[11] | |
| IMI Galil |  |
ISR |
Assault rifle | 5.56×45mm | Donated by Israel in 1988.[11] | |
| M4A1 |  |
 USA |
Carbine rifle | 5.56×45mm | ||
| Machine guns | ||||||
| M2 Browning | .jpg) |
USA |
Heavy machine gun | 12.7x99mm NATO | ||
| Model | Image | Origin | Type | Number | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wheeled vehicles | |||||
| Unimog U1700 |  |
 Australia |
Military truck | Five | Five donated by Australia in 2018.[12] |
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