Japanese newspaper talks about Vietnam submarine rescue ship

Parameswaran said that, along with a number of countries in the region, the Vietnamese Navy has actively invested in building its submarine warfare capabilities in recent years and Russian-built submarines are a priority purchase.

According to this author, in 2017, the Vietnam Navy commissioned the last two of a total of six Kilo 636-class diesel-electric submarines ordered from Russia under a 2009 agreement worth over $2 billion.

Graphics of Vietnam's self-built submarine rescue ship.

Along with procurement, Vietnam is also looking to build its own ships not only to serve rescue operations, but also ocean research and survey activities.

Notably, on May 24, in Hai Phong, Vietnam held a keel-laying ceremony for its first submarine rescue ship. This ship (classified as a multi-mission submarine rescue and research ship - MSSARS), is designated MSSARS 9316. The ship's construction was carried out by Factory Z189.

Parameswaran said that Z189 has experience in cooperating and building many types of modern naval ships under orders from many other countries. It will take some time before the ship is ready for operation and then we can evaluate how Vietnam will use it.

In the future, the mission of MSSARS 9316 may not only stop at submarine rescue operations, but also in surveying, ocean research, and seabed mapping activities, said expert Parameswaran.

To complete its mission, the MSSARS 9316 possesses extremely impressive parameters. Specifically, the ship is 93 m long; 16 m wide; 5.85 m high; 113 crew members; and a full load displacement of 3,950 tons. The construction period is expected to last 27 months.

The ship is also equipped with a powerful propulsion system and many other devices to ensure operation in conditions of wind level 9 and wave level 12 so that the ship can carry out underground search and rescue operations.