In a statement released on May 23, the White House said it would provide Vietnam with 18 Metal Shark patrol boats to strengthen security cooperation between the two countries.

The statement stated that the US plans to provide Vietnam with 18 Metal Shark boats, as well as support training and maritime law enforcement equipment for the Vietnam Coast Guard. The two navies are cooperating more closely to ensure maritime security and safety.

Previously, at the end of February this year, on its Facebook page, the shipbuilding company Metal Shark posted a photo of six 45-foot (13.7m) aluminum-hulled boats at its new factory in Franklin, Louisiana, USA.

Six Metal Shark boats built for Vietnam are located at the factory in Franklin. (Photo on the company's FB in February 2016)

According to information from Workboat, in early 2015, Metal Shark opened a new workshop to complete contracts from the US Government, including building patrol boats under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program.

Previously, in early June 2015, during his visit to Vietnam, US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter announced $18 million in aid to purchase 75-foot Metal Shark-class aluminum-hulled high-speed patrol boats for the Vietnam Coast Guard.

However, the latest information from Workboat and Metal Shark is that the type of boat being built is a 45-foot boat. “We have a contract to build 30 45-foot patrol boats,” said Chris Allard, president of Metal Shark, during a visit to the Franklin facility.

This Metal Shark ship is 45 feet (13.7m) long and 15 feet (4.6m) wide. The ship's speed reaches 40 knots - 74 km/hour. This type of ship can be used for the purpose of patrolling and protecting ports, rivers, firefighting, coastal protection, and law enforcement at sea.

The 45-foot type built for Vietnam is used for military patrol purposes, with a gun mount in the bow. The ship has modern communication equipment. The hold has accommodation, kitchen (microwave, sink, water heater), toilet, serving about 6 people.

Below are some pictures of this type of ship.

Workboat said Metal Shark is building 30 ships for Vietnam, perhaps there has been a re-discussion about the size and number of patrol boats that the US side will build and deliver to Vietnam.

This patrol boat has emergency stopping capability.

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This type of ship is equipped with modern communication equipment, and has accommodation, kitchen, and toilet in the hold, serving about 6 people.

The type built for Vietnam is used for military patrol purposes, with a gun mount in the front of the nose.

A 13.7m patrol boat built for Vietnam was brought to the international boat show in New Orleans in December 2015.

According to Vietnamnet