VOEA Late (A402)

Last updated

History
Flag of Tonga.svg Tonga
NameLate
Ordered1 October 2024
Commissioned15 October 2025
Identification Pennant number: A402
General characteristics
Class & typeICO13056 landing craft
Length30 m (98 ft 5 in)
Beam8 m (26 ft 3 in)
Draft1.3 m (4 ft 3 in)
Propulsion2 × Caterpillar C12 diesel engines, 339 kW (455 hp)
Speed8 knots (15 km/h; 9.2 mph)

VOEA Late(A402) is a landing craft that was commissioned into the Tongan Maritime Force on 15 Oct 2025 and was donated by Australia under the Pacific Maritime Security Program. [1] [2] [3]

A402, replaced, VOEA Late (A401), a landing craft donated by Australia through the Defence Cooperation Program that was commissioned as VOEA Late on 23 October 2015. [4] [5] The A$5 million landing craft was designed by Australian firm Incat Crowther and built by Forgacs Marine and Defence in Newcastle, New South Wales. [6] [7]

A401 was listed in August 2025 for sale by Pickles Auctions. [8]

A401 replaced, HMAV Late (C315), a former Australian Army LCM-8 landing craft donated to Tonga in 1982 through the Australian Defence Cooperation Program to "assist in cyclone rehabilitation work" following Cyclone Isaac. [9] [10] In June 1982, the landing craft was commissioned as the HMAV Late. [4] In 2000, HMAV Late was decommissioned. [11]

References

  1. "New landing craft delivered to Tonga". Department of Defence (Press release). 29 August 2025. Retrieved 25 November 2025.
  2. "Australia and Tonga Strengthen Defence Ties with Commissioning of VOEA Late". Tonga Independent. 16 October 2025. Retrieved 25 November 2025.
  3. Xavier, Will (15 October 2015). "Tongan Maritime Force's newest landing craft enters service". Baird Maritime. Retrieved 25 November 2025.
  4. 1 2 "HMAF also celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Tonga Royal Navy". Official Facebook page of His Majesty's Armed Forces - Tonga. 5 July 2024. Retrieved 27 November 2025 via Facebook.
  5. "Australia's gift to the Kingdom of Tonga undergoing sea trials". Department of Defence. Capability Acquisition and Sustainment. 31 August 2015. Archived from the original on 20 October 2015.
  6. "Sea trials nearing completion for Tonga-bound landing barge". ABC News . Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 31 August 2015. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  7. "Forgacs completes Tongan landing craft". Australian Defence Magazine. 1 September 2015. Retrieved 25 November 2025.
  8. https://www.pickles.com.au/used/details/boats/landing-craft/62021931
  9. Minister of Defence Ian Sinclair (26 May 1982). "Defence co-operation with Tonga" (Press release). Retrieved 27 November 2025 via Trove.
  10. "Assistance to Tongans for cyclone repairs". Army: The Soldiers' Newspaper (571 ed.). Canberra: Department of Defence. 17 June 1982. p. 7. ISSN   0729-5685 . Retrieved 15 November 2025 via Trove.
  11. Moala, Indira (20 May 2014). "Australia to donate landing craft to Tonga". Pacific Waves. Radio New Zealand . Retrieved 27 November 2025.