The first of two new Australian-built Guardian-class patrol boats destined for the Tongan military is scheduled for delivery in June of this year.
Named Ngahu Koula ("Golden Arrow"), the vessel will begin operating under His Majesty's Armed Forces (HMAF) once its first cadre of assigned crewmembers finish their weeks-long familiarisation training.
The patrol boat is currently under construction at Austal. Once completed, it will have modified accommodations to allow mixed gender crewing as well as a 1,500-kilogram deck crane for loading disaster relief stores.
