Frigate 016–Quang Trung joins International Fleet Review in Sydney

Frigate 016–Quang Trung of Brigade 162, Naval Region 4 and a delegation of the Vietnam People’s Navy led by Senior Captain Nguyen Minh Lanh, Deputy Chief of Staff of Naval Region 4, joined the event.

Rear Admiral Nguyen Dinh Hung, Deputy Commander of the Vietnam People’s Navy, attended the review aboard HMAS Leeuwin alongside Governor-General of Australia Sam Mustin and representatives from participating navies. The event featured 30 ships from Australia and 20 other countries and served as a highlight of the Kakadu multinational naval exercise 2026.

Kakadu is a biennial multinational naval exercise hosted by Australia since 1993. This marks the second participation of the Vietnam People’s Navy. In 2024, Ship 18 of Brigade 171, Naval Region 2, became the first Vietnamese vessel to join the exercise during Kakadu 2024 in Darwin.

Frigate 016–Quang Trung arrived in Sydney on the morning of March 21 after a voyage of more than 5,500 nautical miles from Cam Ranh Naval Base. Prior to that, on March 20, the ship took part in formation maneuvers and aerial photography while transiting from Jervis Bay to Sydney Harbour with vessels from multiple navies. 

A total of 25 ships from the Royal Australian Navy and navies of 20 countries participated in the formation. The vessels were arranged into a grid of five columns and five rows, gradually reducing the distance between ships from one nautical mile to 2.5 cables over a journey of more than 60 nautical miles.

Lieutenant Commander Dang Van Do, Commanding Officer of Frigate 016–Quang Trung, described the maneuver as challenging due to the close spacing and large number of ships involved. He emphasized the need for strict watchkeeping and coordination across all stations to maintain formation integrity and ensure safety throughout the operation. 

To prepare for the activity, the ship’s chain-of-command attended a planning conference at Creswell Naval Base on March 19 to finalize maneuver plans and contingency measures. Following agreement with the host navy, tasks were assigned to all departments, particularly navigation, lookout, communications, and engineering teams, to ensure the ship maintained its position and achieved optimal formation for aerial photography.

Commander Robert Short of the Royal Australian Navy, who accompanied and supported the Vietnamese ship during the transit, praised its professionalism. He noted that the crew was welcoming and that the chain-of-command operated the vessel effectively, maintaining precise positioning throughout the maneuver.

From March 21 to 25, before entering the sea phase of Kakadu 2026 with non-combat activities, the crew and delegation are scheduled to participate in planning meetings and exchange programs, including sports and cultural activities, as well as logistics preparations, such as refueling and resupply.

HMAS Leeuwin, carrying Governor-General of Australia Sam Mustin and representatives of participating navies, begins the review.

The Vietnamese national flag and the Vietnam People’s Navy ensign fly alongside the Australian national flag aboard Frigate 016–Quang Trung.

HMAS Leeuwin reviews a Canadian vessel before proceeding to Frigate 016–Quang Trung.

Senior Captain Nguyen Minh Lanh (right), together with Vietnamese naval officers, salute as HMAS Leeuwin passes in review.

Vietnam People’s Navy officers salute as HMAS Leeuwin reviews Frigate 016–Quang Trung.

Rear Admiral Nguyen Dinh Hung, Deputy Commander of the Vietnam People’s Navy, and Governor-General of Australia Sam Mustin aboard HMAS Leeuwin

After completing the formal salute, officers and sailors aboard Frigate 016–Quang Trung repeatedly cheer and wave to HMAS Leeuwin.

A helicopter carrying the Royal Australian Navy flag flies over Sydney Harbour.

Frigate 016–Quang Trung docks at Sydney on the morning of March 21.

Ships participating in formation maneuvers and aerial photography, as seen from Frigate 016–Quang Trung.

A helicopter lands on HMAS Canberra of the Royal Australian Navy for refueling during the formation maneuver and aerial photography.

A view of a maritime planning meeting at Creswell Naval Base on March 19

Vietnamese and Australian naval officers exchange views and finalize the sailing plan.

The national flag flies aboard Frigate 016–Quang Trung during formation maneuvers and aerial photography.

Frigate 016–Quang Trung in Jervis Bay on the afternoon of March 19

From Creswell Naval Base overlooking Jervis Bay, where Frigate 016–Quang Trung and other ships were anchored on the afternoon of March 19, many kangaroos could be seen. (Photo: Royal Australian Navy)

Frigate 016–Quang Trung alongside ships from other nations in formation for aerial photography (Photo: Royal Australian Navy)

Frigate 016–Quang Trung in Sydney Harbor (Photo: Royal Australian Navy)

By Ngoc Hung (from New South Wales, Australia)

Translated by Tran Hoai