Australian frigate visits Vietnam.

The Australian Navy's frigate HMAS Toowoomba docked at Saigon Port on the morning of October 12th, beginning a five-day visit to Ho Chi Minh City with various exchange activities.

The frigate HMAS Toowoomba, hull number 156, was towed into Saigon Port at 9:30 AM on October 12th.

This is the second time the ship has visited Ho Chi Minh City, following its first visit in 2018 with the frigate HMAS Anza and the supply ship HMAS Success.

A representative from the Australian Embassy in Vietnam stated that the visit of HMAS Toowoomba and its crew, from October 12-17, included various exchange activities between military personnel of the two countries and the sharing of professional experience in emergency medical assistance, emergency communication at sea when ships encounter each other (PASSEX), and search and rescue.

Sailors line up on the frigate HMAS Toowoomba as the ship enters port. The warship has a crew of 191 sailors, marines, and specialists.

The visit of the frigate HMAS Toowoomba took place on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Australia.

This activity is part of the Australian government 's Indo-Pacific Endeavor 2023 (IPE23) program, which aims to promote cooperation between Australia and all countries in the region to ensure shared peace, prosperity, and security.

Saigon Port officials handle the securing ropes of the Australian frigate.

HMAS Toowoomba is one of eight Anzac-class frigates in the Australian Navy. The ship was launched in 2003 and commissioned in October 2005.

The ship is 118 meters long, has a full-load displacement of 3,600 tons, and a range of approximately 6,000 nautical miles at a speed of 18 knots (about 33 km/h). Its maximum speed under ideal sea and weather conditions is 27 knots (over 50 km/h).

The primary armament of the Anzac-class frigate is the Mark 45 127 mm multi-purpose gun. The ship is also equipped with a Mark 46 torpedo launcher and a Mark 41 vertical launch system for Sea Sparrow RIM-162 anti-aircraft missiles.

The ship has a helipad and hangar, making it capable of accommodating the latest generation MH-60R Seahawk multi-role helicopters to enhance its anti-submarine warfare, surface combat, and search and rescue capabilities.

The Harpoon anti-ship and land-attack missile launch system, with eight tubes, is located in the forward section of the hull, below the command bridge.

The frigate completed its mid-service maintenance and upgrade in April 2022. The 18-month maintenance program, for Anzac-class naval vessels, took place at the Australian Maritime Complex in Henderson, Western Australia.

Brigadier General Tony McCormack, commander of the IPE23 program, shakes hands with Colonel Nguyen Viet Anh, Deputy Chief of Staff of the 2nd Naval Region, at the welcoming ceremony for the frigate HMAS Toowoomba.

Mr. McCormack (center) emphasized that Vietnam-Australia defense cooperation activities are of significant importance in promoting bilateral friendship.

He expects that this visit by the Australian frigate will further strengthen the already strong relationship between the navies and armed forces of the two countries.

The Vietnamese Border Guard pilots and Saigon Port specialists disembark from the Australian warship.

Lieutenant Commander Darin MacDonald, commander of HMAS Toowoomba, said that the Vietnamese pilots and specialists boarded the ship at around 5 a.m., as the frigate passed buoy number 0 in Vung Tau, to assist the crew in navigating the ship on the Saigon River as it entered the port.

"I received excellent support from the port pilots throughout the journey. They had a precise understanding of the river's course, gave me very clear directions, and steered the ship to ensure a safe journey to port," said Lieutenant Colonel MacDonald.

Some Australian sailors gathered on the ship's deck to observe the Bach Dang Wharf area after the welcoming ceremony concluded. Commander Darin MacDonald said this was the first visit to Vietnam for most of the sailors on board.

According to Brigadier General Tony McCormack, the Australian Navy is committed to maintaining regular operations throughout the Indo- Pacific region. He believes that Australia will conduct more port visits to Vietnam, one of the priority partners in Australia's defense policy. Within the framework of IPE23, in addition to Vietnam, Australia is also conducting cooperation activities with Southeast Asian and Indian Ocean countries including Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, East Timor, and Thailand.

Thanh Tung - Thanh Danh

Vnexpress.net