Amazonas, a Brazilian Navy offshore patrol vessel visiting Walvis Bay, hosted a reception for members of the Namibian navy, military and police officials, as well as the Brazilian community on Friday.
The two navies discussed relations between them and how they look forward to celebrating 30 years of naval cooperation next year.
The cooperation between Namibia and Brazil dates back to the 90s, when Namibia got the port of Walvis Bay back.
On 2 March 1994, the first military ship, Brazilian Frigate Niteroi, entered Namibian waters in 15 years, resulting in the signing of a cooperation agreement.
In 2004, the Namibian Navy received a Class Purus corvette – NS Lt Gen Dimo Hamaambo – from the Brazilian Navy, followed by a Grajaú Class Patrol Vessel and two Marlin Class harbour patrol boats.
Brazilian ambassador to Namibia Vivian Sanmartin said the fact that the Brazilian Navy often visits Walvis Bay is a demonstration of close collaboration with the Namibian Navy.
“More than one 1 500 Namibian Navy personnel have been trained in various areas of study at Brazilian Navy training centres, including marines, which allowed for the creation of the Namibian Navy Marine Corps, with soldiers operating throughout the territory.
“The Namibian Navy has participated in several exercises and exchanges with our and other navies, playing an important role in maintaining the security of the South Atlantic. The Brazilian Marines Advisory Training team and the Brazilian Navy Advisory Training Mission, based in Walvis Bay, have played an important role in a wide variety of matters, in the operational, logistical and organisational fields, both at operational and tactical levels,” she said.
Since 2009, the Brazilian Navy Advisory Training Mission has also carried out important tasks regarding training, inspections and operational exercises, particularly regarding assistance for the structuring and initial implementation of training courses for seamen, and in the preparation and establishment of a ship maintenance programme.
Brazilian defence attaché Rogerio Antunes Machado thanked the Namibian Navy for allowing the Brazilian navy to feel at home during the 30-year friendship.
“Next year, the Naval Cooperation Agreement between Brazil and Namibia will be 30 years old. During this time, the Brazilian and Namibian navies have achieved many successes, not only at the operational level but also in maintaining the security of the South Atlantic.
“Since the arrival of the first Brazilian Navy team, our military and their families have felt at home. The Namibian Navy personnel and the Walvis Bay community welcomed our people like brothers. I want to thank everyone responsible for the success of our cooperation agreement.”
Namibian navy deputy commander Sacheus Randy !Gonteb thanked the Brazilian navy for all the support and assistance.
“We have come together for a long time. Their presence in our waters means a lot and shows the confidence and relations that we have. I was one of the first groups of people who went to Brazil for training and also lucky to be one of the crew members on the two ships that we got from Brazil.
“Over 1 500 members were trained by their navy, without any payment and limitation in Brazilian schools. I hope that we will continue to work together. Last year, Brazil celebrated 200 years of independence, and the NS Elephant crossed the Atlantic from Namibia to Brazil for the first time.”
Namibia and Cameroon were also the only two African countries that participated in the 63rd Unitas maritime exercise, which took place in Rio de Janeiro.
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