Russia Assists Vietnam In Molniya Missile Boats Construction

26.10.2011 Vympel shipyard renders assistance to Vietnam in batch production of Project 12418 Molniya missile boats under Russian license.

The shipyard produces and sends to Vietnam component parts for first six Molniya-class missile boats in accordance with schedule, said the yard's deputy director general Dmitry Polyakov at 15th international exhibition Interpolitekh-2011. Vietnamese shipbuilders have already started production of Molniya boats; the process is held under technical supervision of designing organization (Almaz Design Bureau, St. Petersburg) and manufacturer (JSC Vympel Shipbuilding Plant, Rybinsk).

Presently, Vietnam builds first 4 boats. Two keels were laid down; other two completed hulls were handed over for equipment assembling.

Deliveries of constituent parts for 6 Molniya-class missile boats started in 2010 under the $30-mln contract will last till 2016.

The Molniya contract includes an option for other 4 such boats. The option is expected to turn into a full-fledged contract after delivery of first boats built by Vietnamese shipbuilders.