The US handed over six patrol boats and equipment worth $12 million to the Vietnamese coast guard, the embassy in Hanoi said Monday, as the former foes continue to boost political and defence links.

Vietnam and the United States have become staunch allies in recent years as China exerts influence in the hotly contested South China Sea.

The latest military deal saw the US transfer six 45-foot (14-metre) Metal Shark patrol boats to counterparts on the central coastline of Khanh Hoa on March 29.

It was the third handover in a four-tier deal and marks "another important step in the continued security cooperation between the United States and Vietnam", the embassy said.

The latest delivery brings the number of ships handed over to Vietnam to 18, and there will be 24 in total.

The previous tranche of boats arrived a year ago and followed a historic visit of a US aircraft carrier, the first since the end of the Vietnam War in 1975.

Vietnam Coast Guard Colonel Nguyen Minh Khanh said the transfer marks "another milestone and evidence of the continued friendship between the US and Vietnam".

The boats will be used to combat trafficking, piracy, illegal fishing and other maritime law enforcement, the statement said.

Vietnam has long been at odds with Beijing over the South China Sea and is keen to flex its military might by strengthening military ties with the US and other powerful allies.

Beijing claims most of the resource-rich waterway and has built artificial islands and deployed military equipment to the sea.

Though Washington and Hanoi have cosied in the face of Beijing's build-up in the sea, US President Donald Trump has ratcheted up pressure on Vietnam to buy military equipment to narrow a yawning trade gap.

Related Links
Naval Warfare in the 21st Century

Tweet

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only

BAE awarded $70.6M contract for Navy gun modifications
Washington (UPI) Mar 29, 2019
The Defense Department has announced the award of a $70.6 million contract to BAE Systems & Land Armaments for upgrades to Navy vessels weaponry. Under the contract, announced Thursday by the Department of Defense, the company, based in Louisville, will overhaul and upgrade gun mounts, weather shields and other elements of ships' armaments. BAE will primarily employ its Mk 45 Mod 4 package for the modifications, which includes a 62-caliber barrel, strengthened gun and mount subsystems, a ... read more