Russia Delivers First Two Diesel-Powered Submarines To Vietnam

Russia on Thursday handed over two diesel-electric-powered submarines to Vietnam’s naval force.

The deliveries are part of a contract signed between Rosoboronexport and Vietnam for six submarines back in 2009.

The submarines - The Hanoi and The Ho Chi Minh (project 636 Varshavyanka, Kilo under NATO classification) - will be based at Kamran, according to an official statement.

Another four submarines of the same class are to be built at the Admiralty Shipyards in St. Petersburg over the next two years. The last submarine is to be delivered by 2016.

The submarines will carry the Club-S missile complex. Also, Russia builds patrol frigates Gepard for the  Vietnamese Navy and provides assistance in building missile-carrying boats at Vietnamese shipyards. Russia’s defense contracts with Vietnam stand at 4.5 billion dollars.