26.03.2010
Source: , photo: Vietnamese Navy's ship (news.chinaa2z.com)
Russian Navy will render assistance to Vietnamese Navy in construction of naval base for Vietnamese submarines, said Anatoly Serdiukov, Russian Minister of Defense.
The minister visited Hanoi in March 22-24 and negotiated with Vietnamese counterpart Gen. Phung Quang Thanh. Vietnam intends to purchase from Russia six Project 636 submarines,
Molniya-type missile boats,
Gepard-type frigates, and
Su-30MK2 aircrafts.
"The prospects [of military industrial cooperation] are very serious. The Vietnamese need a naval base for submarines. Russian Navy will help them in this direction", Serdiukov said.
According to him, Vietnam also offers Russia to participate in construction of a ship repair dock which might maintain Russian warships as well.
"They also in need of rescue ships, supply vessels... We're ready to assist Vietnamese colleagues to create naval aviation", added the minister.
Financial aspect should be considered as well, pointed out Serdiukov. "The Vietnamese would like to obtain credit for those purposes", he said.
The issue of former Soviet [Russian] Navy maintenance base in Cam Ranh was not brought up during the talks.
