Ship 18 arrives in Australia, ready to participate in Exercise Kakadu 2024

Ship 18 approaching Coonawarra Port

Officers of the Vietnam People's Navy delegation performing the port salute

Welcoming the ship and delegation at the port were Rear Admiral Nguyen Viet Khanh, Deputy Chief-of-Staff of the Vietnam People's Navy; Royal Australian Navy Commodore Paul O'Grady; Colonel Mick Jansen, Australian Defense Attaché to Vietnam; and representatives of the Vietnamese community living in Darwin.

Vietnamese community representatives in Darwin welcoming the delegation at the port

Officers and crew-members of Ship 18 welcoming Rear Admiral Nguyen Viet Khanh and representatives of the Royal Australian Navy onboard

Immediately after the welcoming ceremony, Rear Admiral Nguyen Viet Khanh, along with representatives of the Royal Australian Navy and the Vietnamese community, visited and encouraged the crew-members of Ship 18 and the delegation participating in the exercise. Rear Admiral Nguyen Viet Khanh expressed gratitude to the Australian side and the Vietnamese community for their warm reception. He affirmed that Ship 18 and its delegation were well-prepared and ready to participate in the exercise as per the registered activities.

Delegates visiting Ship 18 after the welcoming ceremony

Rear Admiral Nguyen Viet Khanh poses for a joint photo aboard Ship 18 with the delegation’s crew-members and representatives of the Vietnamese community in Australia.

The Exercise Kakadu 2024 is set to open on September 9. Following the opening ceremony, the officers of Ship 18 will take part in dockside activities within the exercise framework, including several meetings to finalize plans for sailing, formation maneuvers, formation photography, communication, search and rescue, and replenishment at sea.

During their time at the port, Ship 18 crew-members will also join sports competitions and cultural exchanges and host a reception on board the ship. The at-sea phase of the exercise, including field contents, will commence from September 12 to 19. Ship 18 will only participate in non-combat activities during the exercise.

Translated by Trung Thanh