(VNF) - An Australian Navy ship, the HMAS Ballarat is on a goodwill visit to Da Nang city of Vietnam from 4 - 8 June. The port visit is expected to strengthen the relationship between the two navies and to enhance the nation to nation ties between Australia and Vietnam.

The guided missile frigate arrived in Tien Sa Port with a crew of 29 officers and 159 sailors on board on Sunday.

The highlights of the visit are the crew’s calls on Da Nang People’s Committee Office, HQ Naval Zone 3, and joint naval excercise with officers of the Vietnamese Navy.

The crew will also join a sport exchange (volleyball) with the Naval Brigade 172 of the central city of Vietnam.

Commanding Officer of HMAS Ballarat, Commander David Landon welcomed to Vietnam by Senior Captain Vo Van Tuyen, Deputy Chief of Staff, Naval Zone 3.

"This visit is an excellent opportunity to build upon the Australia Vietnam Defence cooperation relationship that commenced in 1999 and has grown in size and complexity since that time. Since 1999, the Australian Defence Force has trained over 1,500 Vietnam People’s Army officers in Vietnam and Australia and is now assisting the Vietnam People’s Army to prepare for UN peacekeeping operations”, said Colonel Nerolie McDonald, Australian Defence Attaché in Vietnam.

Ballarat is a long-range frigate capable of air defence, surface and undersea warfare, surveillance, reconnaissance and interdiction. The ship can counter simultaneous threats from aircraft, surface vessels and submarines.

HMAS Ballarat will be the 23rd Royal Australian Navy ship to have paid a goodwill visit to Vietnam since 1999./.

( VNF )