VietNamNet Bridge - From August 22 to 26, a vessel of the Australian Royal Navy named HMAS Ballarat will visit Vietnam to strengthen ties between the two countries and the two navies.

According to the announcement from the Australian Embassy in Vietnam, HMAS Ballarat will come to Ho Chi Minh City with a crew of 28 officers and 156 sailors.

HMAS Ballarat ship. Photo provided by the Embassy of Australia.

HMAS Ballarat is an ANZAC class frigate with guided missiles, capable of anti-air, anti-submarine, maritime surveillance, reconnaissance, interception and others.

The ship weighs 3,600 tons, 118 meters long, equipped with improved Sea Sparrow AAMs, Harpoon Block 2 anti-marine missiles, 127 mm MK45 machine guns and six MK32 torpedo tubes.

HMAS Ballarat has helidecks for Sea Hawk S-70B-2 helicopters and can reach the maximum speed of 27 nautical miles per hour.

During the visit to HCM City, the crew will meet with Vietnam Navy, participate in professional activities and exchanges with students of the Navy Technical Vocational School and spend time to learn about the culture of Vietnam.

PV