Vietnam has started construction of a new domestically designed anti-submarine frigate that is set to become the Vietnam People’s Navy’s (VPN) largest surface combatant when completed in around three years’ time.
A steel-cutting ceremony was held on 10 August at Song Thu Corporation’s shipyard in Da Nang, attended by representatives from Vietnam’s Ministry of National Defence, Communist Party and VPN.
Vietnamese state media said the unnamed vessel will be equipped with an active electronically scanned array radar, air defence missiles and advanced anti-ship missiles developed domestically by Viettel and associated defence factories. The anti-ship missile, for example, is believed to be a naval variant of the VCM-01.
Despite the growing use of domestic systems, the ship’s design retains several Russian design features. A model displayed at the ceremony showed a 76.2mm AK-176 main gun, two RBU-6000-style 213mm anti-submarine rocket launchers, two six-cell vertical launch systems, two quad anti-ship missile launchers, and two twin 533mm torpedo tubes.
The frigate also features a stern flight deck and enclosed hangar for a Kamov Ka-28 anti-submarine warfare helicopter.
Construction of this new type of vessel marks another step in Vietnamese efforts to expand its indigenous defence industry and to reduce reliance on Russian-origin equipment.
Hanoi has increasingly sought to develop domestic alternatives, as sanctions and international scrutiny surrounding Russian defence equipment have complicated procurement and sustainment.
The VPN’s principal surface combatants currently comprise four Russian-built Gepard 3.9-class guided-missile frigates: Đinh Tiên Hoàng (hull number ‘011’), Lý Thái Tổ (‘012’), Trần Hưng Đạo (‘015’) and Quang Trung (‘016’). Only the latter two vessels are equipped with dedicated anti-submarine warfare systems.
Vietnam also operates six Kilo-class diesel-electric submarines, alongside a mixture of older frigates and corvettes handed down from Russia, India and South Korea.
by Chen Chuanren
