[1] When the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea extended maritime nations' exclusive economic zone (EEZ) to 200 kilometres (110 nmi), Australia designed and built 22 patrol vessels for 12 of its fellow members of the Pacific Forum.

This allowed its neighbours to exercise sovereignty over their EEZ, intercept smugglers, poaching fishers, and provide emergency services.

Australia is replacing Pangai and her two sister ships with two larger and more capable Guardian-class patrol vessels.

[5] Tonga's King Tupou VI served in the Navy when he was a prince, and he was Pangai's first commanding officer.

[1] Pangai provided disaster assistance, following a 2009 tsunami, to Niuafo’ou, and following Tropical Cyclone Winston, in Fiji, in 2016.