According to the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS, UK), the KCT-15 anti-ship missile produced by Vietnam is stronger than the original 3M24 of Russia.

This statement was mentioned by two authors Douglas Barrie and Tom Waldwyn of IISS in their analysis. Vietnam is implementing a program to produce a domestic version of the KCT-15 designed for the Russian 3M24 Uran cruise missile (NATO designation SS-N-25 Switchablade).

The analysis points out that the KCT-15 anti-ship missile made by Vietnam and displayed publicly has many differences from the 3M24, such as the lack of an air intake hole in the middle of the upper wing and the middle of the fuselage for the missile's jet engine.

Compared to the improved air-launched variant of the 3M24, the Kh-35U, there are also improvements in the engine layout, which is repositioned in the extended rear part of the fuselage.

That design allows for greater fuel capacity and extends the missile's maximum range. The KCT-15 does not follow this configuration or will follow a jet design that is not yet visible on the missile on display.

The KCT-15 missile was introduced in 2015.

However, many details have not been clearly disclosed, but this program may be aimed at promoting the domestic arms manufacturing industry. That will help simplify support services for the use of 3M24 missiles for the Vietnam People's Navy.

Douglas Barrie and Tom Waldwyn of the IISS said that with the KCT-15, Vietnam would be the second country in the Asia-Pacific region to embark on domestic production of a missile based on Russia's 3M24 Uran. Previously, North Korea produced a missile similar to the 3M24 Uran medium-range anti-ship missile.

Unlike North Korea, Vietnam has made further progress in implementing its program to produce its own indigenous missile variant of the 3M24 Uran called the KCT-15.

IISS analysts said that Vietnam’s KCT-15 missile was first publicly displayed in late 2015 at a defense technology exhibition. This variant was also displayed with an air defense reconnaissance radar. The KCT-15 was introduced next to a dual-launch tube for surface warships.

According to IISS experts, the Vietnamese Navy is operating 3M24 missiles for anti-ship purposes on Gepard-class warships and also equipping 6 12418 Molniya high-speed missile boats as well as 1 BPS-500 corvette.

In addition to the anti-ship version, the 3M24 also has an air-launched version when attached to an active radar guidance type, used in many countries such as Russia, India, Algeria. This version is called Kh-35 (AS-20 Kayak) and is integrated into helicopters and fixed-wing fighters to undertake attack missions at sea.

The KCT-15 has been displayed by Vietnam with a radar attached, and analysts believe that it is very possible that Vietnam also has a domestic version of the KCT-15 that can be launched from the air. While the 3M24, which began production in the early 1980s, has a range of 130 km, the KCT-15 is said to have twice that range.

In addition, IISS also speculated that Russia may have granted Vietnam a license to manufacture all three versions of the 3M24 missile. In addition to the anti-ship missile and the Kh-35 air-launched missile, Vietnam may also be allowed to manufacture a coastal defense version integrated into the 3K60 Bal system.

According to Datviet