HMAS Toowoomba docked at Saigon port on the morning of October 12.
The head of the Vietnamese Navy delegation was Colonel Nguyen Viet Anh, Deputy Chief of Staff of Naval Region 2, who represented the delegation led by Air Force Brigadier General Tony McCormack, Commander of IPE23, and Captain Darin MacDonald and Australian officers.
The welcoming ceremony also included representatives of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Foreign Affairs and a number of functional agencies of the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense, officials of the Embassy, the Australian Defense Attaché, and the Australian Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City.
Vietnam is an important partner of Australia.
Colonel Nguyen Viet Anh wished the head of the delegation, Brigadier General McCormack, a successful working trip in Ho Chi Minh City, contributing to further strengthening the relationship between Vietnam and Australia.
Colonel Nguyen Viet Anh, Deputy Chief of Staff of Naval Region 2 (3rd from right)
For his part, Brigadier General McCormack affirmed that Vietnam is an important partner of Australia in the region. "Vietnam and Australia share the desire to contribute to maintaining a peaceful, secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific region, in which ASEAN plays a central role," the IPE23 Commander emphasized.
During this visit, which lasted from October 12 to 17, the delegation had a program to meet and exchange with senior officers and soldiers of the Vietnam People's Navy. Other activities included joint training at sea with the Naval Region 2 Command, exchanging and sharing experiences in sea rescue and search and rescue.
On October 13, the crew also participated in a friendly sports competition with students of the Naval Technical College.
Air Force Brigadier General Tony McCormack shakes hands with members of the Vietnamese delegation
IPE is an important Australian Government engagement activity to strengthen defence and diplomatic partnerships in Southeast Asia and the Northeast Indian Ocean. At the same time, IPE also highlights Australia’s commitment to contributing to the common effort towards a peaceful, secure and prosperous region.
This year, IPE23 carries out activities with Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, East Timor, Thailand and Vietnam.
In addition, the visit to Vietnam by the Royal Australian Navy ship is also a meaningful activity to celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, contributing to further promoting the Vietnam - Australia Strategic Partnership, as well as cooperation between the two countries' armies and navies.
Captain Darin MacDonald on the bridge
HMAS Toowoomba has completed its refurbishment.
HMAS Toowoomba is the second of eight Anzac-class frigates of the Royal Australian Navy. The ship is 118 m long and displaces 3,600 tonnes.
The ship's weapons include Evolved Sea Sparrow surface-to-air missiles (ESSM), Harpoon Block 2 anti-ship missiles, Mk 45 127 mm naval guns, and six Mk 32 torpedo tubes. The ship is also equipped with a landing pad and a hangar for the MH-60R Sea Hawk multi-mission helicopter.
The ship reaches a maximum speed of 27 knots.
In April 2022, HMAS Toowoomba completed an 18-month process to significantly upgrade the ship's radar (long-range air search radar), communications and other systems.
HMAS Toowoomba completed a major refit last year
HMAS Toowoomba has extensive combat experience and has participated in operations in many parts of the world, such as becoming the first Australian naval ship to join Combined Task Force 151 to counter piracy off the coast of Somalia since 2019.
In early April 2013, the ship joined the US Navy's Carrier Strike Group 5 in the South China Sea.
In April 2018, HMAS Toowoomba, along with HMAS Anzac and HMAS Success, visited Saigon port after passing through the East Sea.
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