Vietnam Coast Guard receives high endurance cutter from US

Vietnam Coast Guard (VCG) has received a high endurance cutter from the US Coast Guard, under the Excess Defense Articles (EDA) programme.

The EDA programme seeks to provide excess military equipment to US partner and allied countries in support of their military and security modernisation efforts.

The ship, which will be renamed CSB 8020, is expected to increase the VCG’s capacity to conduct maritime law enforcement operations, and perform search and rescue and other humanitarian response operations.

The CSB 8020 will also improve the VCG’s maritime domain awareness.

US Coast Guard assistant commandant for acquisition and chief acquisition officer Rear Admiral Michael Haycock said: “This cutter provides a concrete and significant symbol of the US-Vietnam Comprehensive Partnership.

“The Coast Guard is honoured to see this vessel continue to preserve global peace and prosperity as a part of the VCG.”

The procurement of the CSB 8020 cutter follows the delivery of six Metal Shark patrol boats from the US to VCG earlier in May.

VCG will use the six 45ft-long patrol vessels in inter-costal patrols and law enforcement in smuggling, illicit trafficking, piracy and armed robbery against ships, and illegal fishing.

A memorandum of understanding on defence cooperation was signed in 2011 to facilitate security assistance and educational exchanges between the US and Vietnamese militaries.

The US Embassy, through its Office of Defense Cooperation, coordinates US-Vietnam security cooperation activities on behalf of US Pacific Command to advance common defence goals and interests, according to the statement, the US Embassy and Consulate in Vietnam stated.

---

Image: The CSB 8020 cutter was transferred to the Vietnam Coast Guard from the US Government. Photo: courtesy of US Embassy and Consulate in Vietnam.