A Royal Australian Air Force C-17A Globemaster has transported over 60 Vietnamese military personnel deploying to the United Nations Mission (UNMISS) in South Sudan.
The flight, conducted by the Australian Defence Force, has provided a strategic airlift for Vietnamese soldiers and equipment from Ho Chi Minh City to Juba, South Sudan, enabling Vietnam to rotate their staff at the role 2 field hospital.
Vietnam’s President, Võ Văn Thưởng, attended a farewell ceremony held in honour of the peacekeepers departure from Ho Chi Minh City.
Chief of Joint Operations, Lieutenant General Greg Bilton, said Australia and Vietnam’s deepening defence relationship enabled both nations to make an active contribution as regional partners to the maintenance of the global rules-based order.
“Vietnam is an important partner for Australia. We share a strategic interest in maintaining a peaceful and stable Indo-Pacific,” Lieutenant General Bilton said.
“Our militaries work collectively and learn from each other – not only through this close peacekeeping partnership, but also through professional military education and skills exchange programs.”
“This is the fifth year Australia has been able to provide the strategic airlift to assist Vietnam rotate their military personnel through UNMISS. I am proud of the work we are doing together to strengthen our enduring partnership to support the important work of the United Nations.”
2023 marks the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam-Australia diplomatic relationship. Both countries look forward to elevating our cooperation as we seek to establish a peacekeeping partnership, and work more closely together.
