Australia backs Vietnam’s UN peacekeeping forces with $240,000 worth of equipment

The items were handed over to the ministry’s Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations at a ceremony in Hanoi on Tuesday.

The event was co-chaired by Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien, Deputy Minister of National Defense, and Hugh Jeffrey, Deputy Secretary of Strategy, Policy, and Industry at the Australian Department of Defense.

Valued at $240,000, the aid package includes two Toyota Hilux 4x4 vehicles, a Changlin GD555 wheel bulldozer, 10 shoulder gear bags, and personal care kits.

These items are intended to improve training effectiveness and capacity building for Vietnam’s peacekeeping forces, as well as to support training courses, exercises, seminars, and exchanges with international experts.

In his remarks, Deputy Minister Chien expressed his appreciation to the Australian government, stressing that the equipment donation would enhance the operational capacity of Vietnam’s defense forces and deepen bilateral military cooperation.

Through this assistance, Australia reaffirms its role as a comprehensive strategic partner of Vietnam, demonstrating strong support for the Southeast Asian nation’s efforts to develop a professional, internationally recognized peacekeeping force.

The donation represents a tangible step toward advancing bilateral defense ties and the shared vision of both nations for peace, stability, and sustainable development in the region and beyond.

He praised the long-standing and effective defense cooperation between Vietnam and Australia, particularly in UN peacekeeping operations.

Joint initiatives have included foreign language courses, aeromedical evacuation and rules-of-engagement training, as well as exchanges on mental health care, force protection, and the promotion of women’s participation in peacekeeping.

These activities have further solidified Australia’s position as one of Vietnam’s most important partners in UN peacekeeping, Chien commented.

Notably, Australia is the only country with which Vietnam has signed a government-level peacekeeping partnership agreement.

At the ceremony, Deputy Secretary Jeffrey lauded Vietnam for its substantial contributions to UN peacekeeping operations, according to the Voice of Vietnam.

He also reaffirmed Australia’s commitment to cooperative programs designed to support Vietnam’s needs, with a focus on language training, medical support, and capacity building for Vietnam’s UN peacekeeping forces.