Politics ASIA, AUSTRALIA, CHINA, COAST GUARD, CUBA, DEFENSE, GEOPOLITICS, GUAM, HANOI, HAWAII, MELBOURNE, MELLON, MEXICO, MUTUAL DEFENSE TREATY, NEW YORK, NEWSWEEK, NINH HOA, NORTH AMERICA, OCEANIA, PACIFIC, SEATTLE, SOUTH CHINA SEA, SOUTH CHINA SEA DISPUTE, TERRITORIAL DISPUTES, U. S, U. S. COAST GUARD, UNITED STATES, US, VIETNAM, VIETNAM COAST GUARD, WASHINGTON Clara Montgomery June 20, 2025 0 Comments

U.S. Grows Defense Partnership Next Door to China

The U.S. has transferred a third coast guard vessel to Vietnam, enhancing their defense partnership in light of Chinese territorial claims in the South China Sea. This marks a notable step since the two nations normalized ties in 1995. Discussions on future military support for Vietnam are ongoing amid tightening regional security matters.

The United States has officially transferred its third coast guard vessel to Vietnam, further strengthening their defense partnership amid rising tensions from China in the South China Sea. This activity marks a significant step for the two nations, which were once adversaries during the Vietnam War, working now to bolster shared security interests.

Since normalizing diplomatic relations in 1995, the U.S. and Vietnam have gradually enhanced their cooperation, particularly in defense. The lifting of an arms embargo by the U.S. in 2016 allowed Vietnam to procure essential military assets like training aircraft from its former foe. Most recently, the U.S. Coast Guard ship, formerly known as USCGC Mellon, was delivered as CSB 8022 to Vietnam after a journey from Seattle, with brief stops in Hawaii and Guam.

This transfer comes during a period of heightened friction in the South China Sea, where territorial disputes between Vietnam and China continue to inflame regional dynamics. The presence of the Chinese coast guard in these waters poses a distinct challenge, emphasizing the importance of this defense collaboration.

With this delivery, the U.S. Mission in Vietnam has reaffirmed its commitment to enhance maritime law enforcement capabilities and disaster response readiness in Vietnam. The partnership is rooted in a memorandum of understanding geared towards empowering Vietnam’s sovereignty and regional security,

The former U.S. Coast Guard vessels are known as Hamilton-class cutters, capable of versatile operations for search and rescue, defense, and law enforcement. Each of these ships weighs more than 2,700 tons and can travel approximately 10,000 nautical miles, a substantial distance that underscores their operational range.

The recent handover of the Mellon coincides with the 30th anniversary of U.S.-Vietnam diplomatic relations. However, it is worth noting that an intended visit by an American aircraft carrier to Vietnam was called off, redirected toward the Middle East amid ongoing tensions between Iran and Israel.

Courtney Beale, the U.S. Chargé d’Affaires in Vietnam, emphasized the significance of mutual respect between the two nations. “The United States and Vietnam respect each other’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political system, and remain firmly committed to supporting our shared vision of peace and stability,” she stated. This sentiment captures the evolving nature of the U.S.-Vietnam relationship, which today encompasses political, economic, and security dimensions.

Looking ahead, the U.S. is likely to maintain its defense cooperation with other nations in the South China Sea arena, such as the Philippines. However, whether additional military support will be extended to Vietnam is still uncertain. As the geopolitical landscape shifts, the collaboration between the U.S. and Vietnam could play a crucial role in ensuring stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

The strengthening of U.S.-Vietnam defense ties is a clear response to regional tensions, particularly from China. As the two countries commemorate 30 years of diplomatic relations, this partnership continues to evolve, emphasizing mutual respect and shared security interests. Future developments in military cooperation between the U.S. and Vietnam, especially concerning further support, will be closely watched as regional dynamics unfold.

Original Source: www.newsweek.com