The Coast Guard acquired seven more modern vessels in the first quarter of 2016.

After more than a year of deployment, seven newly built ships equipped with modern facilities for the Vietnam Coast Guard (CSB) have been launched and officially began their mission to protect Vietnam's maritime sovereignty in the first quarter of 2016.

The DN2000 multi-purpose vessel, constructed by Song Thu Corporation, was launched on November 30, 2015 in Da Nang. Photo: VGP/Mai Vy.

Major General Nguyen Quang Dam, Commander of the Vietnam Coast Guard Command, said that the Coast Guard shipbuilding program, funded by Resolution No. 72/2014/QH13 of the National Assembly, has been urgently completed by three shipyards under the Ministry of National Defense within about a year.

According to the Prime Minister's decision, the Coast Guard Command is authorized to build seven new vessels, including two large 2,400-ton ships based on the DN2000 model, four patrol vessels based on the TT400 model, and one multi-purpose transport vessel for refueling at sea.

The two DN2000 vessels were assigned by the Coast Guard Command to Song Thu Corporation and Company 189 for construction.

After a year of construction, the two DN2000 vessels were launched at the end of November 2015, and 80% of the work has now been completed. It is expected that these two DN2000 vessels will be delivered in the first quarter of 2016.

According to Major General Nguyen Quang Dam, the four TT400 vessels were constructed by Hong Ha Shipbuilding Company. Of these, vessels number 6 and 7 were started in May 2015. The vessels are designed to reach a speed of 35 knots and are equipped with the approved patrol capabilities. The shipyard is currently training the crews and is scheduled for handover in December 2015.

Meanwhile, vessels TT400 No. 8 and 9 were also launched on October 31st, with work currently over 80% complete. The vessels will be handed over in the first quarter of 2016.

In particular, the multi-purpose refueling vessel features a completely new design, the first of its kind to be built in Vietnam, meeting modern technological requirements.

Hong Ha Shipbuilding Company laid the keel in November 2014. The ship was launched in June 2015. It is expected to be completed and delivered in January 2016.

Due to the tight shipbuilding schedule and the short timeframe for project planning and approval, the efforts of the staff and workers at the shipyards have ensured that the ships have met the required schedule and quality standards, shortening construction time by several months or more.

Major General Nguyen Quang Dam affirmed that the construction of seven new ships has demonstrated the technological advancements and progress in military shipbuilding by the 189th, Hong Ha, and Song Thu defense industry factories.

According to chinhphu.vn