Patrol ship HMS Tamar ready for busy week after arriving in Tonga for first time

Royal Navy patrol ship HMS Tamar has arrived in Tonga for the first time after patrolling waters around Fiji.

The Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) took to X to share her delight at arriving ready "to celebrate the friendship and partnership between the United Kingdom and the Friendly Isles".

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.

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Footage of Tamar arriving in Nuku'alofa, the capital city of Tonga, was shared on X by the British High Commissioner to the Kingdom of Tonga, Lucy Joyce.

On her current deployment, HMS Tamar has been focused on countering illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, and will conduct monitoring in Tonga's exclusive economic zone.

She will also work with the Tongan Navy to enhance cooperation and understanding.

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 the country after it was hit by a devastating tsunami in 2022.

Both Tamar and Spey are stationed in the Indo-Pacific region as part of the UK's commitment to the region.

HMS Tamar, one of the most modern and environmentally friendly vessels in the Royal Navy fleet, is on a five-year deployment to the region after setting sail in 2021.

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 - Tonga supported the UK and allied forces in the Second World War, while Tongan marines served in Iraq and Afghanistan as part of the coalition forces.