Australian Army soldiers from 2nd Cavalry Regiment drive ASLAVs (Australian Light-Armoured Vehicles) vehicles aboard HMAS Canberra in Townsville prior to a three-month deployment to Exercise RIMPAC 2016. Photo: Australian Navy

Two Australian naval ships with a total crew of over 800 personnel will conduct a visit to Cam Ranh port in Vietnam’s central province of Khanh Hoa on May 7-10 as Australia increases naval engagement with regional countries.

The port call is part of the Australian Defense Force’s Indo-Pacific Endeavour (IPE19), an annual activity aimed at promoting Australia’s regional defense engagement, the Australian embassy in Hanoi said in a statement.

“IPE reinforces Australia’s commitment to a peaceful and secure region and our strong bilateral and multilateral partnerships in support of this aim,” the embassy added.

For the program in Vietnam, IPE19 comprises HMAS Canberra and HMAS Newcastle and forces elements from Australian Navy, Army and Air Force. HMAS Canberra is a Canberra-class landing helicopter dock, the largest ship ever constructed for the Royal Australian Navy, capable of conducting large-scale humanitarian and disaster relief missions.

HMAS Newcastle, meanwhile, is a guided missile frigate, a long range escort vessel, capable of air defense, surface and undersea warfare, surveillance, reconnaissance and interdiction.

During the visit, both ships’ companies will participate in a number of official and social engagements with representatives from services of the Vietnam People’s Army and people of Khanh Hoa province. Hanoitimes