Hydrographic equipment was presented to His Majesty’s Armed Forces from the Australian Minister for International Development and the Pacific, and Minister for Defence Industry, Hon. Pat Conroy on 8 December.

The critical equipment was presented to Commander Holokaukau Lakai, HMAF's Component Commander Navy and Director of Hydrography, and Captain Sione Ulakai, Deputy Chief of Defence Staff, at the Masefield Naval Base, during the Minister's visit to Nuku'alofa.

The equipment includes geodetic equipment, which helps situate survey vessels relative to the environment, and some components of onboard survey equipment. 

The Minister reaffirmed Australia’s commitment to supporting Pacific solutions to Pacific challenges. 

"Investing in sovereign capabilities for Pacific nations is a key component of promoting regional resilience.

“Australia is working in partnership to respond to Pacific priorities. The Defence Cooperation Program is the cornerstone of Australia’s Defence partnership with Tonga. We understand that the development of a sovereign hydrographic capability is a priority for Tonga.” 

He said this handover represented a significant first step in support of this effort.

This is the first tranche of equipment under an agreed partnership between Australia and HMAF to rebuild Tonga’s sovereign hydrographic capability. 

This partnership aims to strengthen HMAF’s own national charting capabilities in order to better facilitate cruise ships and other large vessels for visits to Tonga and to conduct Rapid Environmental Assessments (REA) in the aftermath of natural disasters. 

At the handover was Australian High Commissioner HE Rachael Moore and Australia’s Defence Adviser, Lieutenant Colonel Sean Benporath.