Australian Navy Warship HMAS Ballarat to Visit Da Nang
Publish date 05-06-2017 23:13, Lượt xem: 299

On 4 June, the Australian Navy warship HMAS Ballarat with a total of 29 officers and 159 crew members arrived at Tien Sa Port to start a five-day official visit to the city.  The visit aimed at strengthening the relationship between the two navies and enhancing the nation to nation ties between Australia and Viet Nam.

The welcoming ceremony at Tien Sa Port on 4 June

The welcoming ceremony was held in the presence of leading representatives from the Commanders of Navy Force Zone No 3 and Military Zone No 5, the city's Border Guard Headquarters, the city's Military Headquarters, the Foreign Affairs Department of the Defence Ministry and the authorities of Da Nang.  The event also witnessed the presence of HE Mr Craig Chittick, the Ambassador of Australia to Viet Nam; and Colonel Nerolie McDonald, Australian Defence Attaché in Viet Nam.

Colonel Nerolie McDonald, Australian Defence Attaché in Viet Nam, stated “This visit is an excellent opportunity to build upon the Australia - Viet Nam Defence cooperation relationship that commenced in 1999 and has grown in size and complexity since that time.  Since 1999, the Australian Defence Force has trained over 1,500 Viet Nam People’s Army officers and is now assisting the Viet Nam People’s Army to prepare for United Nations peacekeeping operations”.

It is scheduled that the ship’s leaders will pay courtesy visits to leaders of the Da Nang People’s Committee.  The Commander and crew will engage in a range of goodwill activities and to conduct a professional exchange on ship operations.  The crew will also participate in a friendly sporting activity with the personnel of Brigade 172 of the Vietnamese People’s Navy as well as taking advantage of the opportunity to explore Vietnam’s rich culture and to meet the people of Vietnam.

Australian Navy warship HMAS Ballarat

HMAS Ballarat is the 23rd Royal Australian Navy (RAN) warship making a goodwill visit to Viet Nam since bilateral defence relations were established.  It is commanded by Commander David Landon, CSM, Royal Australian Navy (RAN).  HMAS Ballarat is an ANZAC Class guided missile frigate with roles including air defence, anti-submarine and surface warfare, surveillance, interdiction and reconnaissance.  Weighing 3,600 tons and 118 metres in length, HMAS Ballarat is armed with Evolved Sea Sparrow surface-to-air missiles, Harpoon Block 2 Anti-ship missiles, a Mk 45 127 millimetre gun and six Mk 32 torpedo tubes.  HMAS Ballarat is also fitted with a flight deck and a hangar for a multi-role S-70B-2 Sea Hawk helicopter and has a top speed of 27 knots.

Quynh Dan

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