Ship 18 makes port call in Surabaya

Speaking at the welcoming ceremony, Captain Muhammed Taufik, Second-in-Command in Operation of Naval Base No.5 of the Indonesian Navy, thanked Ship 18 and the Vietnamese delegation for the visit to Surabaya after a long voyage of nearly 1,200 nautical miles, emphasizing that Ship 18’s three-day regular visit to Surabaya is a valuable opportunity to strengthen the friendship and cooperation between the two navies in particular and the two countries in general.

Officers and sailors of Ship 18 salute the port.

For his part, Sr. Capt. Nguyen Viet Anh expressed thanks to Captain Taufik and the Indonesian Navy for the solemn welcome, saying that Ship 18 stopped at Surabaya port for logistics and technical service on the way to Darwin, Australia to join Exercise Kakadu 2024.

Representatives of the Indonesian Navy receive Ship 18 and the Vietnamese delegation.

During the visit, the officers and sailors on board Ship 18 will have a chance to tour scenic spots, cultural and historical sites in Surabaya city, thereby, broadening their understanding of the landscape and people of Indonesia, contributing to further consolidating and enhancing solidarity, mutual trust and cooperation between the two navies.

An art performance during the reception

Capt. Muhammad Taufik speaks at the reception.

Sr. Capt. Nguyen Viet Anh addressing the event

The two sides in a joint photo

Over the past time, the cooperative relations between Vietnam and Indonesia in general and the two militaries and navies in particular have witnessed fruitful development. From July 17 to 20, Sailing Vessel 286 - Le Quy Don of the VPN visited and exchanged with the Indonesian Navy at Surabaya Naval Base. The VPN also welcomed Frigate KRI Bung Tomo to visit Ho Chi Minh City and participated in the second joint exercise between the two navies from August 19 to 24 and hosted a reception for Ship KRI Bima Suci to pay a courtesy visit to Hai Phong city from August 26 to 29.

Commander Do Quang Thuy, Captain of Ship 18, presents a gift to Capt. Muhammad Taufik.

Ship 18 departed from Brigade 171’s port on August 24 for Australia to join Exercise Kakadu. When en route from Vung Tau to Surabaya, officers and sailors on board conducted long-distance sea training activities to raise the capability of organization and coordination of commanding officers, troops’ combat readiness competence, and skills to master weapons and technical equipment during long-term operations at sea.

Reported by Ngoc Hung from Surabaya, Indonesia

Translated by Quynh Oanh