Russia to supply Vietnam six submarines in 2014

Russia will supply six submarines to Vietnam in 2014, Oleg Azizov, representative of Russia’s state-run arms exporter Rosoboronexport, has said during a maritime defense show that wrapped up in Saint-Petersburg on July 2.

Vietnam has signed a contract to purchase six Kilo 636-MV class diesel-electric submarines, Azivov was quoted as saying by the VNA newswire. He did not provide more details.

At the Asian-Pacific Security Forum held in Singapore last month, Vietnmese Defense Minister Phung Quang Thanh had said that Vietnam and Russia have negotiated the delivery of six Kilo-class submarines for the purpose of defense that will only operate in Vietnamese waters.

The Fifth International Maritime Defense Show (IMDS-2011), held from June 29 until July 2, 2011, attracted more than 400 companies from 30 countries, according to RIA-Novosti. Russia introduced modern warships including the nuclear submarine and the stealth corvette used by the navy.

The show also presented well armed small naval ships that can operate near the shore.

A report by RIA-Novosti said the Kilo class submarine has a displacement of 2,300 tons, a maximum depth of 350 meters (1,200 feet), a range of 6,000 miles, and a crew of 57. It is equipped with six 533-mm torpedo tubes.

At least 29 Kilo class subs have been exported to China, India, Iran, Poland, Romania and Algeria, it said.