Patrol boat

The patrol boat is currently undergoing maintenance at the HMAS Cairns navy base.

According to the Australian High Commission in Tonga, PM Morrison was in Cairns to announce a $155 million upgrade to the Navy Base, HMAS Cairns.

“The upgrade will enable HMAS Cairns to be the maintenance hub for all of the Guardian-class Patrol Boats throughout the Pacific, supporting Australia’s future vessels.”

The crew of VOEA Ngahau Koula will sail home in the coming week after a period of training.

King Tupou VI commissioned the new Guardian Class Patrol Boats VOEA Ngahau Siliva at Masefield Navy Base, Touliki Wednesday.

A release said the vessel was donated to Tonga under Australia’s Pacific Maritime Security Programme which committed $2 billion to the Pacific and Timor-Leste over 30 years.

Australian High Commissioner to Tonga, Adrian Morrison said, “Siliva joins her sister vessel, the VOEA Ngahau Koula, which His Majesty commissioned in October 2019. Together Siliva and Koula represent a significant security capability for Tonga.”

Rear Admiral Colin Lawrence, Head of Navy Engineering, Australian Defence Force said the arrival of Voea Ngahau Koula “marks the first step in the new era for Tonga’s maritime security”.

He said that the new patrol boat is the only the third of the 21 vessels gifted by Australia under the Pacific Maritime Security Program for 12 Pacific Island Countries including Timor Leste.