The US Government has handed over six patrol boats and associated equipment worth US$12 million to the Vietnam Coast Guard, the US Embassy in Hanoi confirmed on Monday, April 1.
Handed over were six 14-metre patrol vessels in a series built by Metal Shark Boats of Louisiana.
The patrol boats will be deployed on missions including maritime law enforcement, anti-piracy, anti-smuggling, and anti-illegal fishing.
The recent hand-over brings the number of Vietnam Coast Guard vessels donated by the US to 18.
Six more coast guard vessels are slated to be turned over as part of the "continued security cooperation" between the two countries, the US Embassy added.
