The mission implements the Party and State’s guidelines and defense diplomacy directives from the Central Military Commission and the Ministry of National Defense. Participating in the Fleet Review and Exercise Kakadu 2026 aims to enhance maritime security coordination, strengthen mutual trust, and promote international naval cooperation for regional and global peace, stability, and development.
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The send-off ceremony for Ship 016-Quang Trung and the delegation at Cam Ranh military port on the afternoon of February 23. |
The trip also responds to invitations and support extended by the Australian Defense Force and the Royal Australian Navy in recent years, demonstrating Vietnam’s support for multilateral activities hosted by Australia on the occasion of the navy’s 125th anniversary. It further consolidates and strengthens the good friendship and cooperation between the two militaries and navies, in line with the framework of the Vietnam - Australia comprehensive strategic partnership.
The deployment is an opportunity for long-distance sea training, enhancement of command and coordination capabilities, combat readiness, and proficiency in operating weapons and technical equipment under extended maritime conditions. It also allows the crew to accumulate experience in participating in and organizing international multilateral events.
According to the plan, in Australia, Ship 016-Quang Trung and the delegation will take part in activities of the Fleet Review and Exercise Kakadu 2026, including harbor-phase events, such as the exercise opening ceremony, navy chiefs’ meeting, planning conferences for sea phases, in-port training, sports and cultural exchanges, visits to local historical and cultural sites, and hosting receptions on board. In sea phase, the ship will engage in non-combat drills, including communications, formation maneuvering, replenishment at sea, formation maneuvering for aerial photography, search and rescue, and expert working groups at sea.
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Ship 016-Quang Trung departs Cam Ranh military port for Sydney, Australia to attend the Fleet Review commemorating the 125th anniversary of the Royal Australian Navy and the Exercise Kakadu 2026. |
Kakadu is a biennial multilateral naval exercise hosted by Australia since 1993. This marks the second participation of a Vietnam People’s Navy ship in the exercise. In 2024, Ship 18 of Brigade 171, Naval Region 2, joined Exercise Kakadu 2024 in Darwin, Australia, becoming the first vessel of the Vietnam People’s Navy to attend the event.
By joining Exercise Kakadu 2026 in Sydney, Ship 016-Quang Trung will undertake the longest voyage in the history of the Vietnam People’s Navy, sailing more than 11,000 nautical miles over roughly 60 days.
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Ship 016-Quang Trung departs for Australia to participate in Exercise Kakadu 2026. |
By Ngoc Hung
Translated by Mai Huong