Metal Shark delivers to Vietnam Coast Guard
Another six new military patrol boats built by Louisiana, USA-based shipbuilder Metal Shark have been delivered to the Vietnam Coast Guard.
This newest round of vessels follows an initial six-vessel delivery of Metal Shark 45-foot Defiant-class patrol boats to the Vietnam Coast Guard in the province of Quang Nam in May of 2017.
The boats were part of a 20 million dollar transfer of infrastructure and equipment by the U.S. to Vietnam. The delivery also included a training centre, maintenance facility, boat lift, vehicles, and a navigation simulator.
The Region 4 Metal Shark boats will serve to deter bad actors from committing crimes against or near Vietnam, where current challenges include smuggling, illicit trafficking, piracy and armed robbery on the high seas, illegal fishing, environmental degradation, and others.
By Jake Frith
