His Majesty's Armed Forces (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 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	Land Force Maritime Force Air Wing Tongan Training Command Tongan Support Unit
Headquarters	Vilai Barracks, Nuku'alofa
Leadership
Commander-in-Chief	HM King Tupou VI
Minister for HMAF	Tupoutoʻa ʻUlukalala
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	750[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.

History

Main article: Military history of Tonga

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

The main elements of HMAF are:^[3][4]

• His Majesty's Armed Forces HQ
• Joint Force HQ
• Tongan Land Force
  • Tongan Royal Guards
  • Royal Tongan Marines
  • Combined Logistics and Technical Support
• Tongan Maritime Force
• Training Command
• Tongan Air Wing
• Support Unit
• Territorial Forces

Tongan Maritime Force

Main article: 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 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]

Royal Tongan Marines

Main article: Royal Tongan Marines

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]

Tongan Royal Guards

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.

Tongan Air Wing

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]

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.^[8]

Ranks

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

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

Small arms

Model	Image	Origin	Type	Calibre	Number	Notes
Handguns
Glock 17		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		USA	Heavy machine gun	12.7x99mm NATO

Vehicles

Model	Image	Origin	Type	Number	Notes
Wheeled vehicles
Unimog U1700		Australia	Military truck	Five	Five donated by Australia in 2018.[12]