Tonnerre is a multi-purpose command and landing ship class. It is one of the largest ships of the French Navy and this year there are about 200 cadet officers from the French Navy and other navies on board. The ship functions as a command post at sea, a helicopter carrier, a hospital ship and for landing troops by air or sea, and it also functions as a troop and equipment carrier.
The visit of this flagship warship comes ahead of the visit of the Minister of Defense in June and of the President of the French Republic in the fall of this year. The ship’s visit is a new and strong expression of the goodwill of the growing cooperation between the two armies and the two governments of Vietnam and France.
During the visit, the crew will participate in numerous activities and meetings with Vietnamese authorities, thereby working to further strengthen the friendly and defense relations between France and Vietnam.
