Japanese Navy crews come calling on Vietnam
VOV.VN - Two Japanese naval vessels – a destroyer and a submarine – sailed into Cam Ranh Bay on Tuesday (Apr. 11) and promptly renewed their country's pledge to never wage war again.
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It is headed by Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) Training Submarine Division One Commander Captain Hiroyuki Habuchi, leading about 310 crew members including 50 midshipmen cadet pilots, on a 5-day Japan – Vietnam defence exchange program.
At a welcoming ceremony, Habuchi said the mission had two goals, one is to make young naval aviators grow into excellent JMSDF officers, mentally and physically, through training. The other is to deepen the relationship between Japan and Vietnam.
Habuchi went on to read a statement saying that the people of Japan have walked as a peace-loving nation over the 70 years since the end of World War II. Our mission today is to prove these words, said Habuchi.
The two vessels departed from Kure, Hiroshima on March 18, making stopovers at Katsuren, Okinawa, and Malaysia before making the port call here, he said, adding that Vietnam is the last stop before returning to Japan.
I hope the friendship between Japan and Vietnam will be enhanced through this port call and I thank everyone for the warm welcoming ceremony, he said.
The multipurpose destroyer, commissioned on March 2014, as the 4th of the Akizuki class, is equipped with sophisticated weapons from torpedoes to jammer launchers, decoy launchers and canister launchers.
But nothing beats the SH-60K/60J helicopters that are clearly the main attraction for visitors, both young and old alike.
Among activities lined up are participation in a Japan – Vietnam Officer Candidates' defence exchange course, courtesy calls on officers of the Vietnamese navy, visits to the Cam Ranh Bay naval base facilities and sports interactions.
