VietNamNet Bridge - The White House said the United States will provide 18 MetalShark 45-foot patrol boats, as well as training and maritime law enforcement equipment, to the country’s Coast Guard.

The White House statement dated May 23 said that the two sides have expanded cooperation on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, including through the Pacific Partnership and Pacific Angel engagements and joint humanitarian training exercises.  

“The United States is strengthening security cooperation with Vietnam, including helping the government build its maritime security capabilities, by providing more than $45.7 million since FY 2014 through the State Department’s Foreign Military Financing and law enforcement capacity building programs,” the press release said.

Additional assistance is provided through the Department of Defense’s Cooperative Threat Reduction Program and Maritime Security Initiative (MSI) funding, a regional initiative for which the Department of Defense has committed $425 million over five years.  

According to the announcement, the US will provide 18 MetalShark 45-foot patrol boats, as well as training and maritime law enforcement equipment to the Vietnam Coast Guard. The two Navies are working more closely together to ensure maritime security and safety.

The US stressed that relations between the two countries are at a historic high following the establishment of the U.S.-Vietnam Comprehensive Partnership in 2013 and the celebration of 20 years of diplomatic relations in 2015. The US President’s visit to Vietnam built on this positive momentum to cement the progress of the last few years and propel our bilateral relationship to the next level.

US President Barack Obama made an official visit to Vietnam from May 23 to 25. During a joint press conference with President Tran Dai Quang on May 23, President Obama announced that the US completely removed arms embargo against Vietnam.

Photos of the Metalshark:

Tran Cham