| Tonga Defence Services |
|
|---|---|
A group of Royal Tongan Marines during a training exercise in the United States in 2007 |
|
| Service branches | Land Force, Tongan Navy, Air Wing, Training Wing, Support Unit, Territorial Forces |
| Headquarters | Vilai Barracks, Nuku'alofa |
| Leadership | |
| Commander-in-Chief | HM King George Tupou V |
| Minister of Defense | Acting Minister of Defence, Hon Fred Sevele |
| Commander, Tonga Defence Services (CTDS) | Brigadier T 'Uta'atu |
| Manpower | |
| 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.) |
| Expenditures | |
| Percent of GDP | 0.9% GDP (2006 est.) |
The Tonga Defense Services (TDS) is the armed force of Tonga. It is composed of three operational command components, two support elements (logistics and training groups).
The mission of the Tonga Defence Services is to: Defend the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Tonga.
The TDS is partially supported by defense cooperation agreements with Australia, United States, China, United Kingdom, India and New Zealand. These Security Cooperation aim at capacity development through training of TDS personnel in leadership, academic and trades while support for infrastructure development is another part of these Security Cooperation.
In recent years, members of the TDS have supported Coalition of the Willing in Operation Iraqi Freedom and the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands.
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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 main elements of the Tonga Defence Services are:[1][2]
The Pacific-class patrol craft were provided to Tonga by Australia as part of the Pacific Patrol Boat Program.
| Aircraft | Origin | Type | Versions | In service | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Victa Airtourer | New Zealand | Maritime patrol | 1 | No longer in service | |
| Beechcraft G.18S | USA | Search and rescue | 1 | ||
| American Champion Citabria | USA | Maritime patrol | 1 |
The TDS is a member of the following international defense organisations:
Tonga participated in World War I, as part of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force.
The Tonga Defense Force (TDF) came into existence at the beginning of World War II in 1939. In 1943 New Zealand helped 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 1946.
Former 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 2002, TDS soldiers were deployed as part of a multi-national regional peacekeeping force in the Solomon Islands. In July 2004, a 45-member contingent of the TDS served in the Solomon Islands. A third contingent was sent in July 2005. This contingent consisted of 33 TDS troops, and was expected to remain four months.
In March 2003 Military to Military talks began between Tonga and the United States about Tonga providing troops for the Multinational force in Iraq. Support arrangements were finalized in 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 13 June 2004. From July 2004, the Royal Tonga Marines were augmenting the 1st Marine Expeditionary Forces (MEF) in the Al Anbar Province of Iraq. The Royal Marines supported the 1st Marine Division's security and stabilization mission at Camp Blue Diamond. Tonga first served with the 1st MEF on the Solomon Island during World War II.
The Royal Tongan Marines returned from Iraq in December 2004.
In 2006, TDS soldiers, in cooperation with local police, were deployed to deal with the Nuku'alofa riots.
In December 2008, the Tonga Defence Services ended their mission in the Iraq War and returned home.[3]
In 2010, Tongan troops began training with the RAF Regiment, in preparation for operations in Afghanistan; the first troops deployed to Afghanistan during February 2011.[4]
Tonga's military size is approximately 500 troops, half of which were sent to fight the War on Terror. [5]