At India's Heels: Vietnam Becomes Largest Russian Naval Arms Importer

31.08.2012 Alongside with India, Vietnam has become the largest importer of Russian naval arms. Overall cost of Vietnam's orders is comparable to contracts being currently implemented for Indian Navy.

The largest Russian-Vietnamese program in naval segment is a delivery contract for six Project 06361 Improved Kilo-class diesel submarines.

As was earlier reported, JSC Admiralteyskie Verfi shipyard on Aug 28 launched the lead sub for Vietnamese Navy.

Rosoboronexport signed that $2-bln contract with Vietnam late in 2009. According to available information, all subs for Vietnamese Navy will be armed with missile attack system Club-S.

Three months after the contract signing, the parties kicked off talks on construction of a basing site for diesel submarines with appropriate infrastructure. According to expert appraisals, value of this program would be either comparable or even larger than cost of submarines.

Vietnam expects to obtain a credit from Russia not only for construction of the submarine base but procurement of other ships (including rescue and supply vessels) and naval aircraft. It is noteworthy that submarine fleet and naval aircraft will be new branches in Vietnamese Armed Forces. Alongside with acquiring a submarine fleet, Vietnam began renewal of its surface ships and boats. Lion's share of Vietnamese Navy modernization is also held by Russia.

In particular, Russia continues delivery of patrol craft to Vietnam. Reportedly, in Aug 2012 two Svetlyak-class patrol boats built by Vostochnaya Verf shipyard in Vladivostok were delivered to Vietnam.

Implementation of the Svetlyak program started in 2001. In the summer of 2012, first two Project 10412 (export version of Project 10410 Svetlyak) patrol boats ordered by Vietnamese Navy were launched at JSC Almaz Shipbuilding Firm (St. Petersburg). Both patrol boats were handed over to the orderer in Jan 2003. Each ship costs about $15 mln.

The construction was carried out on the basis of the contract signed between Rosoboronexport and Vietnamese Navy in Nov 2001.

Vietnam then expressed desire to continue construction of Svetlyak-class boats for its national navy (generally, the question was a series of 10-12 patrol craft of that type). That program was partially developed in 2009. In the summer 2009, two Russian shipyards – JSC Almaz Shipbuilding Firm and Vostochnaya Verf – laid down the keels for 4 Svetlyak-class boats for Vietnam.

Almaz Shipbuilding Firm delivered two boats to the client in 2011.

Project 10412 patrol boats were developed by JSC Almaz Central Design Bureau (St. Petersburg). The boats have perfect navigability with full speed of about 30 knots. Crew is 28 men. Svetlyak-class boats are used for protection of sea borders, littoral sea lanes, and counter-poaching activities.

The second largest project in boats' segment is the Molniya delivery and license production program. In 90's, four Molniya-class boats armed with Termit missile system were delivered to Vietnam. In 1993, Vietnam purchased a license to build Project 12418 Molniya boats with missile system Uran. Russia began to send normative and technical documentation for those ships in 2005. Preparation for shipbuilding process started in 2006.

In accordance with the contract signed in 2003, it was planned to build two Molniya-class boats armed with Uran missile system in Russia, and up to 10 boats – under license in Vietnam. The first boat was handed over to Vietnamese Navy in 2007, and the second one – in 2008. Keel-laying of the first Molniya-class boat at the Ho Chi Minh City shipyard kicked off implementation of the contract's license part planned to last up to 2016.

In Jan 2002, JSC Kronshtadt sold the first full-scale simulator Laguna-1241RE for Vietnam. With the help of this naval simulator, Vietnamese sailors practiced navigation of four Project 1241RE boats armed with missile system Termit bought in 90's.

Cooperation with Vietnam in naval simulators was continued later. Vietnam expressed intention to buy full-scale simulator for three types of ships – Project 1241RE and Project 12418 missile boats, and Gepard-class frigates.

In Sept 2006, Rosoboronexport signed a contract with Vietnamese Navy for modernization of Laguna-1241RE simulator and delivery of new simulators for Project 1241RE and Project 12418 Molniya missile boats. The contract was executed in Dec 2007.

In segment of large-size surface ships, Russia implements a big project on delivery of frigates. In 2006, Rosoboronexport and Vietnam tied a $350-mln contract for two Gepard-3.9-class frigates. The project developer is Zelenodolsk Design Bureau, executor is JSC Zelenodolsk Shipyard.

Russia offered Vietnamese Navy an upgraded version of Project 11661E Gepard-3.9. It is based on frigate Tatarstan commissioned into Russia's Caspian Flotilla in 2001.

Early in March 2011, Vietnamese naval ensign was triumphantly hoisted on the first Gepard-class frigate in Cam Ranh naval base. The ship was named after Vietnam's first emperor Dinh Tien Hoang. The second frigate obtained the name of Ly Thai To, also after the Vietnamese emperor. The ship was officially commissioned late in Aug 2011.

Frigates of this class have improved navigability, maneuverability, controllability, and cruising range. Considering the customer's wishes, design of interior premises was improved. According to expert appraisals, the second frigate became more serviceable and convenient in operation.

Project 11661E frigates are designed for searching and engagement of surface, underwater, and aerial targets independently or within task units. The frigates may also be used as escort and patrol ships. They are armed with 2 quadruple Uran-E antiship missile launchers, 76-mm gun mount AK-176M, air defense system Palma, two 30-mm gun mounts AK-630M, and 533-mm torpedo tubes. Displacement is 2,100 tons; full speed is 28 knots (52 kph); endurance is 20 days. Built for Vietnam under stealth technology, Gepard-class frigates are capable to accommodate shipboard helicopters Ka-28 or Ka-31.

Reportedly, an option for the second Gepard-3.9-class frigates for Vietnamese Nave was turned into a full-fledged contract in Dec 2011.

Russia negotiates with Vietnam on delivery of additional Bastion mobile coast-based missile systems under government target-specific credit for arms procurement.

Two sets of the K-330P Bastion-P missile systems were handed over to Vietnam under the first contract in 2010 and 2011. Vietnam became the first buyer of Bastion missile system, having signed a contract for two missile systems in 2006.

Bastion mobile coast-based missile system is capable to protect a 600-km long coastline from landing assault operations.

K-330P Bastion-P is one of the world's most up-to-date missile systems in its class (project developer is NPO Mashinostroyenia). It is armed with antiship common missile K-310 Yakhont. Operating range is up to 300 km.

In addition, Russia prepares an agreement providing assistance to Vietnam in manufacturing of Yakhont antiship missiles. Presumably, this agreement is evaluated as $300 mln.

Delegation of JSC Zvezdochka Ship Repair Center in Apr 2011 held negotiations with Vietnamese Navy command and directors of Van Xuan General Import Export Corporation at Vietnam's defense ministry.

During the talks, the parties discussed delivery of spare parts, service maintenance and modernization of Vietnamese warships, and considered prospects for participation of the Zvezdochka center in reconstruction of Cam Ranh shipyard.

The parties signed a protocol opening deliveries of spare parts, tools and accessories.

Currently, Vietnam with assistance of Russian designers implements construction projects of two type of ships for its national navy, 54-meter long patrol ships, and 71-meter long landing assault ships.

Vietnamese Navy commissioned the lead patrol ship TT400TP (HQ-272) in Jan 2012. The ship's arms and most of equipment were made in Russia. Armament includes bow 76-mm gun mount AK-176M, stern 30-mm gun mount AK-630M, several machineguns and possibly MANPADS launchers.

Vietnam is presently commissioning the second TT400TP-class ship; it is planned to start construction of the third one, probably, under altered project with use of acquired experience and national technology.

Also assisted by Russian experts, Vietnam has built the first landing ship. HQ-571 Truong Sa was put afloat at Hai Phong shipyard in Oct 2011 and commissioned in March 2012.