A new patrol boat named Ngahau Koula (Golden Arrow), currently being built in Australia, is expected be handed over to His Majesty’s Armed Forces (HMAF) in June.

The new patrol boat, one of two gifted by Australia, was inspected by Chief of Defence, Brigadier Lord Fielakepa last week.

HMAF staff assigned to sail the boat to Tonga in August will undertake several weeks of training before departing. Commander Fonohema will be the first commanding officer for Ngahau Koula.

The new patrol boats will replace Tonga’s old patrol boats under the Pacific Maritime Security Program, Australia’s $2 billion step-up to the Pacific region over the next 30 years. The program highlights a new era of partnership with Pacific island countries, including Tonga.

The Australian High Commission office in Tonga confirmed the new Guardian Class patrol boats built by Australian shipbuilders Austal, are much larger with improved range and endurance than the current boats. They have improved communication capabilities and are better suited to conduct maritime fisheries enforcement and boarding operations. 

The Ngahau Koula has a 1500kg deck crane for disaster relief stores embarkation and modified crew accommodation enables mixed gender crewing.

While in Australia, Brigadier Lord Fielakepa also visited the 7^th Brigade of the Australian Army in Brisbane and viewed some of the latest equipment used by the 2^nd/14^th Light Horse Regiment (Queensland Mounted Infantry – QMI) at Gallipoli Barracks in Enoggera.

This year, QMI mobile training teams will head to Tonga to provide leadership and development training.