Vietnam's coast guard vessel, CSB 8002, has arrived in the Philippines, marking the commencement of the first joint coast guard drills between the two nations. The vessel, a 2,400-ton ship carrying 80 crew members, docked in Manila on 5 August and will remain until 9 August.
These exercises come in the context of both countries' ongoing territorial disputes with China in the South China Sea. The joint drills are part of an effort to strengthen maritime cooperation and enhance regional security.
During their stay, the Vietnamese and Philippine coast guards are conducting various training exercises, including search and rescue operations, fire and explosion prevention, and maritime safety drills. Rear Admiral Armando Balilo, Spokesperson for the Philippine Coast Guard, outlined the activities: “There will also be a facility visit at the National Coast Watch Center (NCWC) and Marine Science Investigation Force (MSIF) Laboratory, as well as a vessel tour on board the 83-metre offshore patrol vessel, BRP Gabriela Silang (OPV-8301).”
He also mentioned the implementation of search and rescue training, fire and explosion prevention exercises, and passage exercises in the waters around Manila Bay. The CSB 8002 will leave Philippine waters after a comprehensive briefing and evaluation of the joint initiative.
The Vietnam People’s Army newspaper reported that the training will also include responding to various scenarios in international waters, although further details were not provided.
This visit marks the first time a Vietnamese coast guard vessel has travelled to the Philippines, reflecting a growing partnership between the two countries. The drills follow a memorandum of understanding signed on 30 January 2024, after Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s visit to Hanoi. This agreement included the establishment of a Joint Coast Guard Committee and the creation of a hotline communication mechanism to enhance coordination.
Vietnam and the Philippines are two of the main claimants in the South China Sea, a region where China claims the vast majority of waters. Both nations have experienced conflicts with China’s coast guard in these disputed territories. Recently, tensions escalated at the Second Thomas Shoal when Chinese ships attempted to block Philippine resupply missions to an outpost there.
The joint exercises between Vietnam and the Philippines are expected to bolster regional maritime security and foster closer cooperation in response to shared challenges in the South China Sea.
The U.S. Army has awarded L3Harris Technologies full-rate Manpack and Leader radio production orders under the Handheld, Manpack & Small…
L3Harris recently attached an advanced multirole electronic warfare (EW) capability to a T7 robot and demonstrating it at Vanguard 2024,…
Airbus Helicopters secured 455 gross orders (450 net) in 2024, demonstrating robust market growth with notable demand for its light,…
Piaggio Aerospace, encompassing Piaggio Aero Industries and Piaggio Aviation, has signed a preliminary contract to transfer its business complexes to…
Calian Group Ltd. has announced the appointment of Major-General (Ret.) Roch Pelletier to the newly established position of Regional Vice…
Airnguru, a provider of airline fare management and pricing optimisation solutions, has announced significant financial progress and growth milestones. The…
AMMROC, a UAE-based provider of military maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with…
The Israel Ministry of Defense (IMOD has signed a contract worth about $80 million with Elbit Systems for the development…
As part of the Italy-Saudi Arabia institutional round table, ELT Group has signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with SAMI Advanced…
Leonardo, Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Investment (MISA), and General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding…
Airbus delivered 766 commercial aircraft to 86 customers around the world in 2024. The commercial aircraft business registered 878 gross…
The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) has concluded the Service Life Extension Programme (SLEP) for its fleet of Sukhoi Su-30MKM…
Kongsberg Maritime has secured a contract to deliver propulsion and manoeuvring systems for two new KCR-70 Fast Attack Craft (FAC)…
Representatives from KNDS Deutschland, KNDS France, Rheinmetall Landsysteme, and Thales gathered in Paris to formalise the creation of the "MGCS…
ST Engineering's Commercial Aerospace business has signed a five-year CFM LEAP engine maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) contract with new…
Embraer is working with Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) to expand the use of renewable energy at its U.S.…
The use of the combat-proven Rafael Spyder air defence system in the ongoing war in Israel has created interest in…
The delivery of Elbit Systems PULS artillery systems and the company's Hermes -900 UAV to Serbia is expected to begin…
Indonesian private defence firm PT Sentra Surya Ekajaya (PT SSE) has introduced a new version of its P2 Tiger 4×4…
Schiebel has been awarded a new multi-year contract by the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) to provide services using the…
BlackSky Technology Inc. has shipped its first Gen-3 satellite to launch provider Rocket Lab. The satellite is scheduled to be…
SITA and Cathay Pacific have entered a new agreement aimed at significantly boosting network bandwidth at Cathay Pacific’s airports. The…
Lockheed Martin has been awarded a $270 million contract by the U.S. Air Force to integrate next-generation infrared defensive sensors…
Malaysia Airlines, in collaboration with Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM), has launched a Private Terminal Transfer Service aimed at providing seamless and…
Fly Jaya, a new entrant in Indonesia’s aviation industry operated by PT Surya Mataram Nusantara, is set to launch domestic…
The first Austrian Airlines Boeing 777-200ER equipped with AeroSHARK surface technology has successfully completed its maiden flight. The long-haul aircraft…
Vietnam and South Korea are reportedly finalising an agreement for the acquisition of 20 K-9 Thunder self-propelled howitzers (SPH) for…
The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) is anticipating the final delivery of three AT-6TH Wolverine light attack aircraft by April…
Ukraine's largest airline, SkyUp Airlines, has successfully transitioned to IBS Software's iFly Res Passenger Services System (PSS) to support the…
Experia Events has announced the confirmed exhibitors for the inaugural Business Aviation Asia Forum and Expo (BAAFEx), which will take…
Headquartered in Singapore with reporters spread across all major regions, GBP Aerospace & Defence is a leading media house that publishes three publications that serve the aerospace and defence sector - Asian Defence Technology, Asian Airlines & Aerospace and Daily News. Known industry-wide for quality journalism, GBP Aerospace & Defence is present at more international tradeshows and exhibitions than any other competing publication in the region.
For over three decades, our award-winning team of reporters has been producing top-notch content to help readers stay abreast of the latest developements in the field of commercial aviation, MRO, defence, and Space.
Copyright 2024. GBP. All Rights Reserved.
Home Defence & Security Space Commercial Aviation Maintence Repair & Overhaul Daily News Events About Us
2025 GBP all rights reserved.