Australian frigate visits Vietnam

The Australian Navy frigate HMAS Toowoomba docked at Saigon Port on the morning of October 12, beginning a 5-day visit to Ho Chi Minh City with many exchange activities.

Frigate HMAS Toowoomba with hull number 156 was towed into Saigon Port at 9:30 a.m. on October 12.

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

The representative of the Australian Embassy in Vietnam said that the visit of HMAS Toowoomba and its crew took place from October 12-17, with many exchange activities between the two countries' military personnel and the exchange of professional experience in emergency rescue, emergency communication at sea when ships encounter each other (PASSEX) or search and rescue.

Sailors line up on the frigate HMAS Toowoomba as it enters port. The warship has a complement 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 Endeavour 2023 (IPE23) program, which aims to promote cooperation between Australia and all countries in the region to ensure peace, prosperity and shared security.

Saigon Port specialist handles the Australian frigate's securing line.

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

The ship is 118 m long, has a full load displacement of 3,600 tons, and an operating range of about 6,000 nautical miles at a speed of 18 knots (about 33 km/h). The maximum speed of the ship in ideal sea and weather conditions is 27 knots (more than 50 km/h).

The primary armament of the Anzac-class frigates is the Mark 45 127mm dual-purpose gun. The ships are also equipped with Mark 46 torpedo launchers and Mark 41 vertical launch systems for RIM-162 Sea Sparrow air defense missiles.

The ship has a landing pad and helicopter hangar, qualified to operate the latest generation multi-role helicopter, the MH-60R Seahawk, to enhance anti-submarine, surface warfare and search and rescue capabilities.

The eight-tube Harpoon anti-ship and land-attack missile system is located in the forward fuselage, below the command post.

The frigate completed its mid-life 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, IPE23 program commander, shakes hands with Colonel Nguyen Viet Anh, Deputy Chief of Naval Staff Region 2, at the welcoming ceremony for the frigate HMAS Toowoomba.

Mr. McCormack (middle) emphasized that Vietnam-Australia defense cooperation activities are important in promoting bilateral friendship.

He hopes that the visit of the Australian frigate will strengthen the strong relationship between the navies and armies of the two countries.

Vietnam Border Guard pilots and Saigon Port experts leave the Australian warship.

Lieutenant Commander Darin MacDonald, commander of HMAS Toowoomba, said the Vietnamese navigators and experts boarded the ship at around 5am, as the frigate passed buoy 0 in Vung Tau, to assist the crew in navigating the ship on the Saigon River upon entering port.

"I received excellent support from the harbour pilots throughout the journey. They knew exactly the rules of the river, gave me very clear instructions and steered the ship to ensure a safe journey into port," said Lieutenant Colonel MacDonald.

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

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 will also conduct cooperation activities with Southeast Asian and Indian Ocean countries including Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, East Timor and Thailand.

Thanh Tung - Thanh Danh

Vnexpress.net