Defence Online

Royal Navy patrol ship HMS Tamar has arrived in the Friendly Isles of Tonga for the first time.The offshore patrol vessel (OPV) took to X to share its delight at its arrival ready “to celebrate the friendship and partnership between the United Kingdom and the Friendly Isles”.Both Tamar and its sister ship HMS Spey are stationed in the Indo-Pacific region as part of the UK’s enduring commitment to the region and the UK’s focus on developing genuine partnerships in Tonga and across the Pacific.Named ‘The Friendly Isles’ because of the friendly reception Captain James Cook received on his arrival in 1773, Tonga’s friendship with the UK spans more than 350 years.Take a look below at the footage of Tamar arriving in Nuku’alofa, the capital city of Tonga on the island of Tongatapu, captured by ‘In The Air Brad’ and shared on X by the British High Commissioner to the Kingdom of Tonga, Lucy Joyce.’Bonds of friendship’On her current deployment, HMS Tamar has been focused on countering illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, including on a number of patrols around Fiji, and will conduct monitoring in Tonga’s EEZ.She will also work with the Tongan Navy to enhance co-operation and understanding.Guests of honour visiting the vessel include Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala and Crown Princess Sinaitakala Tuku’aho, as well as the Prime Minister, the Hon Hu’akavameiliku, and senior members of the Cabinet.Executive Officer and second in command Lieutenant Commander Jim Langley said: “The bonds of friendship and partnership between the United Kingdom and the Friendly Isles stretch back to beyond our living memory.”It is fitting that those bonds will be celebrated again with Their Royal Highnesses the Crown Prince and Princess, on board HMS Tamar. We are also delighted to have on board some Commonwealth representatives too, including from New Zealand and Fiji.”While this is the first visit by Tamar to Tonga, sister ship HMS Spey provided humanitarian assistance and other support to Tonga following the January 2022 Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha’apai underwater volcanic eruption and tsunami.HMS Tamar, one of the most modern and environmentally conscious vessels in the Royal Navy fleet, sailed from Portsmouth in September 2021 to be deployed to the Indo-Pacific as part of the UK and Navy’s commitment to the region.Earlier this month, the offshore patrol vessel was in Fiji where she has been helping the local government curb illegal fishing and drug smuggling.She has so far visited countries stretching from Japan to New Zealand, India to Fiji, and now Tonga.Defence is an important part of the UK-Tonga relationship, with Tonga supporting the UK and allied forces in the Second World War, and Tongan marines serving in Iraq and Afghanistan as part of the coalition forces.