Australia hands over supplies and equipment to support Vietnam's peacekeeping force

On August 12 in Hanoi, the Australian Ministry of Defense handed over a package of supplies and equipment worth 240,000 USD to the Vietnam Peacekeeping Department, aiming to improve training capacity and force deployment in United Nations missions.

The handover ceremony was co-chaired by Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien, member of the Party Central Committee, member of the Central Military Commission, Deputy Minister of National Defense, Head of the Inter-sectoral Working Group, Head of the Ministry of National Defense's Steering Committee on participation in United Nations peacekeeping operations, and Australian Deputy Secretary General of Defense Hugh Jeffrey.

Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien (fourth from left) with Australian Deputy Secretary General of Defense Hugh Jeffrey (sixth from left) and delegates cut the ribbon. (Photo: mod.gov.vn)

According to the Ministry of National Defense's Electronic Information Portal, the aid package includes 2 Toyota Hilux 4x4 vehicles, 1 Changlin GD555 tire leveler, 10 shoulder bags, 100 personal care kits for women and 300 kits for men. This equipment will serve training, capacity building, support for training, exercises, seminars and international professional exchanges at the Vietnam Peacekeeping Department.

Speaking at the ceremony, Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien thanked the Australian Government and Ministry of Defence for their valuable support, considering this a testament to the good defence cooperation relationship, contributing to the common goals of the United Nations. He acknowledged Australia's effective support in foreign language training, training, transporting forces and equipment, and affirmed that Australia is the only country to date to sign a Government-level Peacekeeping Partnership Agreement with Vietnam (March 2024).

Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien said that in the coming time, Vietnam will expand the scale, area and field of participation; expressed the desire to continue receiving support from Australia, especially in training and education; equipment for capacity building; promoting the Agenda on Women, Peace and Security; sharing experience in deploying female soldiers; ensuring logistics and healthcare; and studying the establishment of a mechanism to co-organize rotating peacekeeping exercises in each country.

Delegates visit equipment sponsored by the Australian Ministry of Defense. (Photo: mod.gov.vn)

Australian Deputy Secretary General of Defence Hugh Jeffrey highly appreciated Vietnam's contributions to peacekeeping activities, affirming that Australia will continue to prioritize support appropriate to Vietnam's needs, especially in foreign language training, healthcare and capacity building.

After nearly 11 years of participating in the United Nations peacekeeping force, Vietnam has sent nearly 1,100 soldiers to three Missions in the Central African Republic, South Sudan and Abyei; deployed three Engineering Teams, six Level 2 Field Hospitals, and maintained a female military ratio of more than 16%.

This handover took place within the framework of the 8th Vietnam - Australia Defense Policy Dialogue, demonstrating the depth of cooperation and long-term commitment between the two countries in the field of peacekeeping.

Source: https://thoidai.com.vn/australia-ban-giao-vat-tu-trang-thiet-bi-ho-tro-luc-luong-gin-giu-hoa-binh-viet-nam-215523.html