By Carl Thayer
By the end of this year the naval balance of power in the South China Sea will begin to alter when Vietnam takes delivery of its first Kilo-class fast attack submarines. Vietnam’s submarines are designed for general reconnaissance and patrol, anti-submarine and anti-ship missions. The remaining four submarines are expected to be delivered by 2016.
Vietnam placed an order for six Project 636 Kilo-class conventional diesel-powered submarines in December 2009. The Kilo-class submarine has a displacement of 3,000-3,950 tons. It has a range of 9,600 km for 45 days; it can dive to a maximum depth of 300 meters. The Kilo-class submarine carries a crew of 52. Vietnam’s submarines are expected to be armed with 533M heavy torpedoes and 3M54 Klub-S anti-ship missiles with a 300 km range.
Construction of the first submarine, HQ Ha Noi, began in August 2010 at the Admiralty Shipyard in St. Petersburg. HQ Ha Noi was launched a year later and began sea trials in December 2012. Its crew began training in January this year. Construction on the second submarine, HQ Ho Chi Minh, began in September 2011. It was launched in December 2012, outfitted in January and completed sea trials in late April. Its crew commenced training in July. Vietnam’s third submarine, HQ Hai Phong, is scheduled to be launched at the end of this year. The hull for Vietnam’s sixth submarine was laid at the Admiralty Shipyard in February.
Read the full story at The Diplomat