Australia hands over new landing craft to Tonga

Australia has delivered a new landing craft vessel to Tonga, with an official handover ceremony taking place at the Masefield Naval Base. 

As disclosed, the ceremony for the vessel VOEA Late took place on August 29, 2025. The delivery follows the completion of comprehensive training undertaken by Tonga Royal Navy personnel at the Australian Maritime College in Tasmania.

The training equipped the crew with the necessary skills to safely operate the vessel.

The vessel was provided under the Pacific Maritime Security Program (PMSP). It is expected to enhance Tonga’s humanitarian assistance and disaster relief capabilities, as well as its ability to deter, detect, and disrupt illegal maritime activities in the region.

“The delivery of the new landing craft builds on decades of partnership, and upholds our shared commitment to sovereignty, security and prosperity in the Pacific,” Defense’s First Assistant Secretary Pacific Division, Susan Bodell, said.

The PMSP is Australia’s 30-year commitment to increase national and regional maritime security throughout the Pacific, and builds on the three decades of success in the original Pacific Patrol Boat Program.

Australia is delivering 24 Guardian-class patrol boats to partner nations under the PMSP, with 21 vessels already delivered as of October 2024. The program also includes three landing craft, major maintenance support, in-country Navy advisers, region-wide aerial surveillance, and enhanced coordination.