Colonel Le Dinh Nghi, Deputy Chief of Staff of Naval Region 2, is leading the delegation aboard Ship 17.

According to the plan, the delegation and Ship 17 will pay courtesy calls on local authorities at ports of call and at the Royal Malaysian Navy’s Lumut Naval Base, host a reception, and take part in cultural, artistic and sporting exchanges with the host country.

In India, Ship 17 and the delegation will participate in the MILAN 2026 multilateral naval exercise.

During the voyage of more than 5,000 nautical miles, officers and sailors aboard Ship 17 will combine long-distance sea training with efforts to enhance command and coordination capabilities, combat readiness, proficiency in operating weapons and equipment, and physical endurance.

The deployment is made at the invitation of the Royal Malaysian Navy and the Indian Navy, with the aim of further boosting friendly relations and cooperation between the Vietnamese military and navy and their counterparts in other countries.

Earlier, Naval Region 2 held a briefing conference to disseminate guidance and assign tasks for participation in the MILAN 2026 multilateral naval exercise in India, combined with a friendship visit to Malaysia.

At the conference, functional agencies briefed participants on defence diplomacy regulations, safety assurance requirements, and relevant regimes and standards during mission execution. Ship 17 completed comprehensive preparations and is ready for the mission.

Delegation of Vietnam People’s Navy visits India

A high-ranking delegation of the Vietnam People’s Navy led by Vice Admiral Pham Hoai Nam, Commander of the Vietnamese navy, paid a visit to India from December 4 to 8.