The General Department of Defence Industry under the Ministry of National Defence on August 26 handed over three naval ships to the Marine Police Department in the northern port city of Hai Phong.

The ships, namely CSB 8003, CSB 2015 and CSB 2016, have been repaired and upgraded by Factory Z173 (or Hong Ha Shipbuilding Company).

Addressing the ceremony, Deputy Defence Minister Sen. Lieut. Gen. Nguyen Thanh Cung said the event manifests the due attention of the Party, State and the Central Military Commission to the marine police.

The ships will help the police ensure security, order and safety at sea while meeting relevant international requirements which Viet Nam has signed up to, he said, citing the complicated development of sea and island sovereignty, the increasing trend of crime, especially smuggling and trade fraud, plus unexpected weather conditions resulting from global climate change.

These facts have posed new requirements for each country’s stable and sustainable development, he said, highlighting the need to modernise equipment and facilities for forces in charge of protecting national defence and maritime security.

Major General Nguyen Van Tuong, Political Commissar of the Marine Police Department, said the three naval ships will contribute to increasing the capacity and efficiency of patrols and inspections for protection of Viet Nam’s sovereignty over its sea, islands and continental shelf.

The ships will detect, prevent and combat law violators at sea, especially pirates, while helping Viet Nam engage in joint patrols with other countries to ensure security, order, peace and stability at sea.

Equipped with cutting-edge technology, the three naval ships can withstand poor sea conditions and transmit data and images to the information centre of the Marine Police Department through a satellite system.

(Source: Vietnamplus)