UK maritime forces are taking part in a five-month French naval deployment to the Indian Ocean and Far East, aboard French assault ship FS Mistral.
Around 60 Royal Navy and Royal Marines will dock in Ho Chi Minh City and alongside their French counterparts, will share information on national maritime operating procedures and swap experiences with personnel from the Vietnam People’s Navy.
Two Royal Navy Merlin Mk3 helicopters are also embarked with France’s annual Jeanne d’Arc naval deployment, which will include port calls in Singapore, Sri Lanka, Japan, Guam and Australia.
Both countries are currently contributing personnel to the UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan.
Regular Defence Engagements are carried out between the UK and Vietnam, with an prime example being a Royal Navy dental team deployed last year as part of Pacific Partnerships 16, a multinational capacity building exercise led by the US.
This year will see a small team of Army medics will travel to Vietnam to take part in Pacific Partnerships 17.
Minister of State for the Armed Forces Mike Penning said: “Alongside French forces, our world class Royal Navy and Royal Marines personnel are flying the flag for Britain in Vietnam, one of our important partners in the region.
“This deployment continues to show the flexibility of our Armed Forces to work with our partners, particularly with France, and contribute to international maritime security.”
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