Multilateral Naval Exercise Komodo 2016

(Bqp.vn) - Spectacular events will be organized by Indonesian Navy that called as “Komodo 2016” in Padang and Mentawai Island, West Sumatera. This is the second times the Vietnam People’s Navy took part in the series of Komodo multilateral naval exercises. The opening ceremony of the exercise took place on the morning of April 12th with the participation of Indonesian President Joko Widodo and other government and naval officials, as well as defense attachés of countries sending forces to the exercise. Rear Admiral Pham Hoai Nam of the Vietnam People’s Navy (VPN) attended the event.

After the brief opening ceremony, 48 ships from 16 participating countries, including VPN’s Hospital ship 561, joined the parade themed “Brotherhood of courageous sailors”. Three commanding ships 368, 811 and 823 of the host - with Indonesian President Joko Widodo, Indonesian Navy Chief and defense attachés of countries on board - reviewed the parade. Following the parade were other performances by the Indonesian navy and naval air force.

The 2016 Komodo exercise is conducted along the coastal line and coastal areas of Padang, Metawai archipelago, and West Sumatera province, with focus on maritime peacekeeping, humanitarian aid and natural disaster mitigation activities. The exercise drew the participation of 48 surface ships: 20 ships of the host country, and 28 ships from 15 other participating countries, including Russia, Japan, Australia, the United States, India, Malaysia, and Vietnam.

Colonel Le Xuan Thuy, Deputy Chief of Staff of the VPN and head of the Vietnamese contingent to the exercise, revealed that Vietnam aims at enhancing friendship, building trust, and showing the responsibility of Vietnam in dealing with maritime security, maintaining peace and stability in the region, and participating in humanitarian aid and natural disaster response activities. This time, the exercise provides a golden opportunity for Vietnam to improve its capacity to work for long periods of time at sea, marking a new development in the VPN’s ability to work in a multinational environment.

A number of other activities were also held on April 12th, including a workshop for experts and a staff and command exercise on peacekeeping, humanitarian aid, and natural disaster mitigation activities at sea, a street parade, and coastal artistic performances in Padang city.

Here are a number of photos of the exercise:

Rear Admiral Pham Hoai Nam and other participants at the opening ceremony.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo reviewing the ship formation on the sand table.

Foreign warships maneuver at Teluk Bayur, West Sumatera.

Ship 561 with the red flag of Vietnam.

The Indonesian Navy’s motorized water show.

Ships of participating countries in the parade.

VPN joining the street parade in Padang.