In a display of maritime cooperation, Australia and Vietnam have sharpened their skills together in the South China Sea.

Following a port visit to Da Nang, HMAS Toowoomba conducted cooperative training with their Vietnam People's Navy counterparts.

Coincidentally, the training occurred shortly after the Vietnam People's Navy supported Exercise Kakadu off the east coast of Australia. 

Toowoomba officer of the watch Lieutenant Max Pappin said it was thrilling to work with the Vietnam People's Navy for the first time.

“It has been an extremely rewarding experience to work in company, not only with the Vietnam People’s Navy, but a new class of vessel I haven’t worked with before. I learned a great deal seeing what she was capable of,” Lieutenant Pappin said.

With Toowoomba on her regional presence deployment, the crew is working with regional partners to improve interoperability across the Indo-Pacific. 

During the exercise, they joined with Vietnam People's Navy Ship 275, a TT-400TP gunboat designed and built in Vietnam.

The vessel can travel at speeds of more than 30 knots and has air, sea and close-in defence systems. 

'It’s important our militaries work more closely together to effectively transfer skills and build interoperability.'

Working together, Ship 275 and Toowoomba engaged in search-and-rescue exercises, man-overboard drills and officer-of-the-watch manoeuvres.

Lieutenant Pappin described Ship 275 as highly capable and versatile. 

“Seeing how the Vietnam People’s Navy designed the ship, and what it can do, really provided us with some insight into the priorities when operating in Vietnam’s coastal environment,” Lieutenant Pappin said.  

Commanding Officer Toowoomba Commander Alicia Harrison said the exercise helped build defence cooperation, which is critical to protecting vital sea lanes and preserving territorial integrity.

“It’s important our militaries work more closely together to effectively transfer skills and build interoperability, reinforcing our shared commitment to peace, stability and respect for international law at sea,” Commander Harrison said.

Australia and Vietnam depend on a South China Sea governed by rules and norms, where all have unimpeded access to its vital trade routes. 

Australia has been present and engaged in and around the South China Sea for decades, and the ADF will continue to be present in support of the rules and norms that benefit all Indo-Pacific nations.