Vietnam Bought Second Batch of Russian Gepard-Class Frigates

07.12.2011 Vietnam tied a contract with Rosoboronexport for delivery of an additional 2-ship batch of Project Gepard 3.9 frigates, reports Interfax referring to Sergei Rudenko, deputy director for foreign economic affairs of JSC Zelenodolsk Shipyard. According to him, in contrast to the first two Vietnamese frigates armed with missile systems, the second pair will be "antisubmarine-oriented".

Vietnam purchased first two Project Gepard 3.9 frigates in 2006; the last one was delivered in March 2011. In Vietnamese Navy, the ships obtained names of Dinh Tien Hoang and Ly Thai To. Displacement of such frigate is 2,100 tons. She is armed with antiship missile system, one 76.2-mm and two 30-mm gun mounts. Gepard-class frigate is equipped with heliport for Ka-28 or Ka-31 helicopters.

Through recent years, Vietnam has tied a number of contracts with Russia for delivery of surface ships and submarines for the national naval force. In particular, in 2005 Vietnam bought twelve Project 12418 boats and began licensed production in the fall of 2010. Vietnam purchased six Project 636 Varshavyanka diesel electric submarines from Russia in 2009 for $1.8 bln. Besides, in Apr 2011 Russia agreed with Vietnam to deliver spare parts, tools and accessories for repair of navy-related equipment.