Australian Navy ship arrives in Vietnam

The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) replenishment ship HMAS Sirius has arrived in Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam, as part of Navy’s second East Asia Deployment for 2019.

Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC said the visit is representative of Defence’s strong and deepening ties with Vietnam.

“Our close cooperation in peacekeeping, maritime security and counter-terrorism is underpinned by our shared commitment to a free, open, inclusive and rules-based Indo-Pacific,” Minister Reynolds said.

During her transit to Vietnam from Malaysia, the Sirius travelled with the RAN frigate HMAS Stuart and the United States Navy ship USS Montgomery, with the combined group of ships undertaking exercises and maritime security related training activities.

“The conduct of training on the high seas, and professional interactions between naval vessels, is an everyday feature for ships sailing through international waters,” Minister Reynolds said.

“Our Navy’s professional mariners regularly exercise with allies and partners at sea." 

Stuart and Sirius are two of 11 vessels working in two Maritime Task Groups undertaking a four-month maritime East Asia Deployment, highlighting the RAN’s ability to deploy concurrent Task Groups across our near region.

During the deployment, Task Groups and Task Elements will visit Guam, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Singapore, participating in maritime exercises and commemorative activities with these nations, in addition to exercises with the United States.