Rear Admiral Nguyễn Viết Khánh and Vessel 18 crewmembers with welcoming overseas Vietnmamese in Darwin City, Australia. — Photo from People's Army newspaper

HÀ NỘI — Vessel 18 under Brigade 171 of Naval Region 2 led by its Deputy Chief of Staff, Colonel Nguyễn Việt Anh, docked at Coonawarra port, Darwin city in Northern Territory, Australia, on September 8, ready to join Exercise Kakadu 2024.

The ship and its crew were welcomed by Rear Admiral Nguyễn Viết Khánh, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Navy, Royal Australian Navy Commodore Paul O' Grady, Colonel Michael Jansen, Australian Defense Attaché to Việt Nam, and representatives of the Vietnamese community living and working in Darwin.

Khánh confirmed that the vessel, along with officers of the Việt Nam People’s Navy on board, have prepared well and are ready to participate in the exercise as planned.

Kakadu Exercise 2024 will commence on September 9. The Vietnamese seamen will join dockside activities as part of the exercise, including a series of meetings to approve maritime plans; conduct formation drills; take formation photographs; communications, search and rescue operations; and maritime replenishment.

In the dockside activities, the crew will also take part in sports and cultural exchanges, and host a banquet on the ship.

Ship 18 will only participate in non-combat activities during Kakadu Exercise 2024. — VNS