VOEA Late (A402)
| History | |
|---|---|
| Tonga | |
| Name | Late |
| Ordered | 1 October 2024 |
| Commissioned | 15 October 2025 |
| Identification | Pennant number: A402 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class & type | ICO13056 landing craft |
| Length | 30 m (98 ft 5 in) |
| Beam | 8 m (26 ft 3 in) |
| Draft | 1.3 m (4 ft 3 in) |
| Propulsion | 2 × Caterpillar C12 diesel engines, 339 kW (455 hp) |
| Speed | 8 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
- ^ "New landing craft delivered to Tonga". Department of Defence (Press release). 29 August 2025. Retrieved 25 November 2025.
- ^ "Australia and Tonga Strengthen Defence Ties with Commissioning of VOEA Late". Tonga Independent. 16 October 2025. Retrieved 25 November 2025.
- ^ Xavier, Will (15 October 2015). "Tongan Maritime Force's newest landing craft enters service". Baird Maritime. Retrieved 25 November 2025.
- ^ a b "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Sea trials nearing completion for Tonga-bound landing barge". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 31 August 2015. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
- ^ "Forgacs completes Tongan landing craft". Australian Defence Magazine. 1 September 2015. Retrieved 25 November 2025.
- ^ https://www.pickles.com.au/used/details/boats/landing-craft/62021931
- ^ Minister of Defence Ian Sinclair (26 May 1982). "Defence co-operation with Tonga" (Press release). Retrieved 27 November 2025 – via Trove.
- ^ "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.
- ^ Moala, Indira (20 May 2014). "Australia to donate landing craft to Tonga". Pacific Waves. Radio New Zealand. Retrieved 27 November 2025.